752 officers, members in M’sia-US exercise
LAHAD DATU: The participants of Malaysia-United States Amphibious Exercise (MALUS AMPHEX 15) are expected to utilize the knowledge, training and experience during the fourday exercise at Kampung Tanduo’s beach.
The second organized exercise involved 752 officers and members comprising 508 officers and members of Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and 244 officers and members of 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) of United States Marine Corps (USMC).
During the exercise, among the assets used by the 15th MEU, USMC are the USS Rushmore (LSD 47), AV-8B Harrier Jet V / STOL CH-53E Super Stallion, MV-22 Osprey and amphibious Armoured Vehicle (Amphibious Assault Vehicles) (AAV).
Joint Forces Commander, Lieutenant General Datuk Baharom Hamzah while officiating at the closing ceremony of the exercise, said it managed to achieve the objectives and goals in creating interoperability, particularly in the aspect of amphibious operations.
“Through this exercise, it will also be able to improve the skills of each participant involved also share experiences and military technique that will be achieved at various level of understanding between both parties,” he said.
According to Baharom, the exercise involved various phases of training such as staff exercise (STAFFEX), Force Integration Training (FIT) and Field Training Exercise (FTX) which included landing exercises, and amphibious assault and also practical training in jungle survival.
Meanwhile, Commander of the 15th MEU, USMC, Colonel Vance L.Cryer said during the exercise, they had learned new military techniques including the practical training in jungle survival.
“I hope that the Jungle Survival classes and practicals conducted were beneficial in enhancing not only knowledge but the enhancement of new experiences in conducting jungle survival capabilities.
“MALUS AMPHEX 2015 has further demonstrated how both nation’s military can collaborate and work together to achieve common objectives. Exchange of information, best practices in operation, mutual understanding and cooperation are some of the benefits that this exercise created apart from the strengthening of relations between both nation as well,” he added.
Also present were East Coast Army Field Commander Lieutenant General Datuk Mohd Zaki Mokhtar, Task Force 450 Commander Major General Dato’ Zulkapri Rahmat, Air Commander Region 2 Major General Dato’ Mohd Shaberi Hussein, Eastern Sabah Security Command Deputy Commander Brig Gen Dr. Kenali Basiron, Joint Forces 2 Commander First Admiral Syed Zahrul Putra Syed Abdullah, Sandakan Based Commander First Admiral Dato’ Ahmad Abdullah and Exercise Director First Admiral Dato’ Mohd Ridzwan Abd Rahman.