Service members from more than 19 partner nations attended the kickoff of exercise Keris Aman 23, co-hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), on August 13 at the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre.

Keris Aman 23 is scheduled to run August 13-26, 2023 and is one of the largest annual international peacekeeping field training exercises in the world.

The exercise will consist of UN peacekeeping operations staff training, field training, and a critical enabler capability enhancement event, all of which will focus on UN and international peacekeeping and stability operations.

At the opening event, Brig. Gen. Michael Drowley, director of Training and Exercises at USINDOPACOM, thanked participants as well as the Government of Malaysia, the Malaysian Armed Forces, and the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre for hosting this year’s exercise.

“For the peacekeepers and peacekeeper trainers that have traveled from 19 countries, I thank you and your governments for your commitment and efforts supporting the cause of peace,” said Drowley. “This exercise will better prepare you to train your fellow peacekeepers at your national training centers.”

To participate in the exercise, military personnel traveled from all over the Indo-Pacific, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uruguay, and Vietnam.

“It is only because like-minded partners who seek peace and stability are committed to face these threats that we are able to come together to increase global security and defend a rules-based order that provides opportunity for all,” Drowley said.

During the exercise, Malaysian, U.S., and other partner nation forces will work together to enhance interoperability and mission effectiveness in common tactics, techniques, and procedures in accordance with UN doctrine with the objective of furthering UN peacekeeping troop performance and regional peace operations.

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