SANDF And US Forces in Joint Exercise for Peacekeeping.
A joint military exercise between South African and American airborne forces is being held in the Free State this month to train soldiers for peacekeeping duties.
American commander Colonel Frederick Jones said on Wednesday that Exercise Flintlock was routine, and not aimed at any planned joint operation.
"Flintlock is just a training exercise, no more and no less," Jones told journalists at a media day on the training ground outside Bloemfontein.
"There is no intention to make it a practice exercise for something operational in future," he said.
He nevertheless did not exclude the possibility of future cooperation between the two forces.
"The US and South African soldiers working together today, may do it again in a peace enforcement, peacekeeping or humanitarian relief operation.
"Let's get to know each other well now so we are good friends when the opportunity to work together again presents itself," Jones said.
The exercise is a biannual venture for the US Army and is frequently outside of the United States. South Africa was chosen for the first time this year.
More than 200 soldiers were taking part, with the American contingent consisting mainly of American Rangers from their 75th regiment. The South African side included soldiers from the 44th Parachute Regiment.
Jones said his country considered Flintlock as "very essential training". It was sponsored by their Joint Chiefs of Staff, with the current exercise having been planned 18 months in advance.
South African commander Colonel Mvuzo Mzinjana said Exercise Flintlock was an exceptional opportunity to train for peace support operations in Africa.
Troops were being coached to intervene in crisis situations, he said.
-
17 Juillet 2003 à 10:54 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
