Photo By 1st Lt. Courtney Caimona | U.S. Marines attend the opening ceremony of Exercise Khaan Quest 2014 June 20 at the...... read more read more
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FIVE HILLS TRAINING CENTER, Mongolia - Rain clouds parted to reveal an expansive, Mongolian blue sky under which U.S. Marines participated in an opening ceremony here, June 20 to launch Exercise Khaan Quest 2014.
The opening ceremony began with remarks by Mongolian Defense Minister Dashdemberel Bat-Erdene. Following those remarks military members already in formation on the parade deck Passed in Review to officially mark the start of the exercise. The ceremony concluded with a variety of Mongolian performances ranging from a folk band's traditional throat singing, to a less traditional, live marching band’s performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
“While the performances at the end of the ceremony were interesting, my favorite part was watching the different militaries drill together,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Andrew N. Smith, an assistant lane instructor for the Field training exercise (FTX) portion of Khaan Quest 14. “I thought it showed the camaraderie that is being built amongst the countries.”
The opening ceremony marks the beginning of the 12th iteration of the annual exercise. Khaan Quest 14 is co-sponsored this year by U.S. Army Pacific, and hosted annually by Mongolian Armed Forces. It is a regularly scheduled, multinational exercise designed to promote regional peace and security.
“I think it’s also important to note that this exercise is about more than Mongolia and the United States,” said David F. Helvey, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia. “There (are) a number of different multinational partners here, which again I think underscores not only Mongolia’s reputation and standing in the international community but also its role as (an) exporter of security, not only to the Asia-Pacific but also beyond.”
The United States is represented in Khaan Quest 14 by the United States Marine Corps and soldiers from across U.S Army Pacific, primarily the Alaska Army National Guard. Both U.S. services performed a pass in review at the opening ceremony alongside the MAF, and military members from other participating nations. Other nations participating in Khaan Quest 14 include Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
Khaan Quest 14 consists of a command post exercise and a field training exercise here, which will focus on peacekeeping and stability operations. Enhancing regional interoperability and mission effectiveness, Mongolian, U.S., and participating multinational forces will develop common tactics, techniques, and procedures during these portions of the exercise.
In addition to the Command post exercise (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX)portions of Khaan Quest 14, joint Mongolian-U.S. medical capabilities will also be enhanced by the Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) projects, as well as Cooperative Health Engagement (CHE) events in Ulaanbaatar. ENCAP events include three different projects, which include a kindergarten renovation in the Bayayngol District, the construction of a water distribution point in the Songinikhairkhan District, and the replacement of a gymnasium lighting system at an elementary school also in the Songinikhairkhan District.
The concept of the CHE is to establish a primary/urgent care outpatient clinic designed to benefit the local population in Ulaanbaatar. Both the ENCAP and CHE events not only strengthen the medical capabilities of all participating nations, but also provide outreach to those in need in the communities.
With Khaan Quest 14 officially underway, members of all participating nations look forward to strengthening military-to-military interoperability, sharing cultural exchanges, enhancing relationships and increasing multinational cooperation.
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2014 05:49 |
| Story ID: | 133999 |
| Location: | FIVE HILLS TRAINING AREA, MN |
| Web Views: | 262 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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