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Key leaders get together for round of discussions

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Licea | U.S. Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb speaks with Greek troops during a farewell speech at...... read more read more

09.28.2005

Courtesy Story

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Story and photos by U.S. Army Sgt. Alex Licea
Combined Joint Task Force-Bright Star/ Third U.S. Army Public Affairs Office

ALAMEIN, EGYPT (Sept 27, 2005)- U.S. Army Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, commanding general for the Third U.S. Army, headquartered at Fort McPherson, Ga., and the exercise director for the Bright Star, hosted a two-day Bright Star senior leader seminar at the Movenpic Hotel, Sept 26th and 27th.

Senior leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Holland, Greece, Germany, England and the United States, discussed a number of topics such as combined targeting, effect-based operations and disaster relief affecting today's worldwide military force. Along with the coalition nations in attendance, more than 20 countries were represented as observers.

Right from the start, Whitcomb addressed the importance of communication among the members in the audience and at the head table.

This exercise is about working together through good communication in order to defeat the enemy, said the three-star general.

"Every piece of this exercise stresses the importance of communication between our nations."

Whitcomb, who was accompanied by U.S. Army Gen. (Ret.) James Hill, former commander of the U.S. Southern Command, Egyptian Maj. Gen. Ahamd Moukhtar, Training Authority commander and co-exercise director for Bright Star, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Comstock, deputy Bright Star exercise director, also stressed the importance of disallowing any enemy to use Internet or satellite communications.

"In today's battlefield it's not just about killing the enemy, but it's about denying them Internet or computer capabilities," said Whitcomb. "Today's enemy does not fight in a linear battlefield, and it's an enemy that knows our strengths and weaknesses."

The seminar was an open forum where leaders from all countries were given the chance to express their opinions.

One of the points brought to the table was the level of responsibility of commanders, especially the responsibility senior commanders have between their tactical subordinate leaders on the ground and their abilities to make sound choices. Other topics involved how leaders deal with sensitive and sometimes unpopular decisions dealing with host nation sensitivities.

Kenyan Brig. Gen. M.O. Oyugi, an observer for the Bright Star exercise, shared his point of view with the group of leaders during an open microphone discussion.

"We must sometimes trust our tactical commanders on the ground to make the decisions," said Oyugi. "I see too many senior leaders making all the decisions for their tactical commanders because they fear mistakes."

"How are we suppose to know who is ready for senior leadership if commanders are afraid to let their lower commanders make these mistakes," he said. "That is how most people learn, from their mistakes."

After lunch, the discussion shifted from battlefield operations to the military's responsibilities when dealing with humanitarian assistance.

This is the first year that this topic has been brought to the Bright Star training agenda, but after the wake of the Tsunami disaster in Asia in December 2004 and most recently with Hurricane Katrina's impact on the gulf coast of the United States, commanders felt it important to train all troops during a humanitarian situation.

Mr. Dayton Maxwell, a humanitarian specialist dealing with both man-made and natural disasters, gave a presentation during the seminar on how this new role is changing the military in all parts of the world.

"Traditionally, the military has not had this as a function," said Maxwell. "However, the military has unique capabilities to deal with these complex emergency situations, especially when it comes to dealing with force protection and proving a strong presence."

"We can marshal these forces, both civilian and military, to accomplish the mission," he added.

The seminar ended with a question and answer segment where leaders could openly discuss any topics covered during the day's seminar.

Pakistani Air Force Commodore, equivalent to the American Army rank of brigadier general, Abbas Petiwala spoke about the importance of this event.

"It is very good that we are all here," he said. "We must learn for each other in order to fight today's global challenges."

For many of the senior leaders in attendance, the seminar represented what Whitcomb had stated in his opening comments.

The purpose of this gathering and of Bright Star is to overcome any obstacles in order to work together, said Whitcomb.

"The target is victory, and we can't fail."

"This is not about me. It is our my grandchildren and great grandchildren and their ability to live in a peaceful world where they don't have to fear going into a supermarket or getting on an airplane."