U.S. Forces, Qatar And GCC Nations Conduct Cooperative Defense Exercise

U.S. Central Command

DOHA, Qatar -- Senior military and government officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council nations and the United States arrived here to conduct Exercise Eagle Resolve 2009 from April 26 to May 5.

Eagle Resolve is an annual, multi-national exercise designed to enhance regional cooperative defense efforts of the GCC and the U.S. Central Command. The focus of this year’s exercise is to promote a common understanding of defense concepts and procedures, as well as exercising consequence management efforts.

“Eagle Resolve remains an excellent and comprehensive cooperative defense planning exercise that helps GCC nations and the United States improve our ability to work together and strengthen regional security,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Tim Rush, Air National Guard assistant to the commander of, Air Force/United States Central Command Air Forces. General Rush is serving as the Eagle Resolve exercise co-director.

“It is a great opportunity for Qatar to serve as the host country for exercise Eagle Resolve,” said Staff Brigadier (Pilot) Abdullah Juman Al Hamad, Head of National Defense and Crisis Management.

Brigadier Abdullah, the Eagle Resolve exercise co-director, added, “By working together with the United States and the other GCC nations, we are helping to improve the region’s defense capabilities. This exercise demonstrates the spirit of collaboration between GCC countries and the United States.”

This marks the 10th year that the U.S., Qatar and members of the GCC nations have participated in the annual exercise Eagle Resolve, with this year’s event being the largest ever, including a command post exercise and a field training exercise.

Previous exercises have also been conducted in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Exercise Eagle Resolve participants from the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council check to ensure their equipment is working April 23 at the Crisis Management Center in Doha, Qatar.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Timothy Rush talks with members of the Kuwaiti Air Force April 23 at the Crisis Management Center in Doha, Qatar.General Rush’s Qatari counterpart commented on hosting the exercise and the benefits of the multi-lateral effort.

Source: CENTCOM.

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