U.S. and Cambodian forces attended the opening ceremony here, April 20, for Angkor Sentinel 2014, an annual bilateral military exercise hosted by the Royal Cambodian Army and sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific.

Nearly 1,000 Soldiers participated in the day's event, including over 100 from the Idaho Army National Guard.

Soldiers of the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team of the Idaho Army National Guard, U.S. Army Pacific, the Asia-Pacific Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Fusion Center, 18th Medical Command, and the 413th Contracting Brigade, have journeyed back to the Peacekeeping Operations School here, to participate in the Angkor Sentinel 2014, April 20-30.

"The achievements and accomplishments that our government, the people and the military have been completed are also part of the tremendous involvement from the American government, the people and the military," explained Lt. Gen. Hun Manet in his opening ceremony remarks. "Obviously, today, [with] great support from the U.S. Army the Cambodian Army [is] capable, and [has gained] more new skills in response to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, which are most demanded by the people around the world, as well as our soldiers, to understand and develop more enthusiasm for [multinational operations]."

Brig. Gen. John Goodale, Idaho Army National Guard commanding general, also gave opening remarks during the opening ceremony.

"Both Cambodian and U.S. Soldiers learn valuable tactics, techniques and procedures that enable them to respond effectively and efficiently to man-made and natural disasters they may face at home, regionally and in UN Peacekeeping missions around the world. Angkor Sentinel promotes an environment that is both challenging and rewarding, with Soldiers from both sides learning skills that can be used worldwide in a wide variety of missions," said Goodale

Angkor Sentinel 2014 continues a substantial, five-year effort by U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Pacific Command to build Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief capability in Cambodia. It directly contributes to achieving key U.S. and Cambodian security objectives by providing a rigorous training environment for both nations.

Cambodia uses the exercise to prepare forces for United Nations missions around the globe, and internal and regional Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief missions. This year marked the fourth year of participation from the Idaho Army National Guard.

The exercise promotes military readiness and interoperability, and is U.S. Army Pacific's capstone Security Cooperation event with Cambodia.

This article was originally published at: http://www.army.mil/article/124855/Angkor_Sentinel_2014_kicks_off_with_opening_ceremony/

- PACOM: (posted April 29, 2014) -