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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – More than 150 dignitaries and representatives from 29 nations gathered at Al Dhafra Air Base, Feb. 6 to observe law enforcement, customs, military and other interagency personnel from participating nations conduct a Proliferation Security Initiative capabilities demonstration, the culminating event for Exercise Leading Edge 13.
The UAE co-hosted LE 13 with the United States. The biennial exercise, which ran from Jan. 27 to Feb. 8 at various locations in UAE, is a U.S. Central Command executed and interagency supported multilateral, PSI exercise. More than 40 exercises and associated workshops incorporating PSI activities have been conducted since 2003, marking LE 13 as a 10th anniversary PSI event.
“Leading Edge is an important tool in the success of PSI,” said UAE Brig. Gen. Yahya Khadim Buamim, UAE Leading Edge 13 director. “This exercise is another brick in building peace.”
PSI is a global effort that aims to stop the trafficking of WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials and is intended to reinforce and complement, not replace other nonproliferation mechanisms.
“PSI is a goal of like-minded, peace-loving countries around the world,” said Buamim. “It is innovative and effective.”
According to Buamim, attending nations benefited from the strengthening of friendships and partnerships and improved interoperability among partner nations and future endorsers and signatories.
“We have gained much from this exercise. The number one benefit is having the opportunity to share experiences and strategy with all our partner nations,” said Qatari Col. Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Marzooqi. “Seeing and doing the demonstrations will make any real situation easy. This exercise has also allowed us to build stronger relationships for further efforts.”
The exercise consisted of two main portions, a series of Field Training Exercises and a Table Top Exercise for operational and executive leadership. Field exercises provided tactical law enforcement, crisis response and military exercise participants hands-on experience of air, land and sea WMD interdiction tactics, techniques and procedural practices at multiple sites throughout Abu Dhabi. Exercises included chemical, biological radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives interdiction; maritime visit, board, search and seizure; vehicle checkpoint quick reaction drills; explosive ordinance disposal; and highly complex air WMD interdiction coordination and processes among international authorities.
The TTX took place in conference settings with delegates from the 29 participating nations sharing concerns and discussing PSI improvements through combined working groups.
LE 13 events concluded with the WMD interdiction capabilities demonstration and static display of personnel and equipment.
As the final demonstration wrapped up, participants shared their overall impressions of the exercise.
Danish Lt. Col. Jespen Thygesen said he feels the nations participating displayed the commitment necessary to succeed.“I can see really good spirit in the cooperation,” he said. “This demonstration alone, combined with the participation, shows the pledge that these countries have made.”
“This biennial exercise has brought many countries together for the common goal of PSI. And, through the combined and continued efforts of these countries to promote and expand PSI capabilities, the world will continue to move one step closer to the overall goal of peace,” said Jordanian Col. Mekhled Al-Suheim.
“To be apart of this exercise and be in this environment with29 other nations,sharing knowledge and information for the greater good,is a good opportunity. Many countries in the past have been incapable to implement interdiction effectively, and I think exercises like these are a great way to help build those skills. There should be more, and maybe some additional courses; PSI is a benefit for all who seek peace,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2013 09:45 |
| Story ID: | 101839 |
| Location: | AE |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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