PORT DICKSON, Malaysia - The Malaysian Armed Forces’ highest ranking general officially closed Exercise Keris Aman 2015 during a ceremony at the Army Academy, Segenting Camp, here, Aug. 24.

Malaysian Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Zulkifeli bin Mohd Zin, stressed the professionalism of peacekeepers during his remarks to the participants from 29 nations and their involvement during the 2-week long training event.

“The flurry of activities, the multitude of skills and the ever changing scenarios which you have experienced throughout this exercise are but drops of water in a wide ocean of peacekeeping operations,” Zulkifeli said. “The chaos inherent in conflict and the untold suffering of civilian population can only be contained through the employment of a professional, competent, judicious, and united peacekeeping force.”

The capstone exercise was co-hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces and U.S. Pacific Command.

Canadian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. William F. Seymour, USPACOM Deputy Director of International Operations and Engagement, described the importance of the training to prepare the participants to conduct future missions.

“This Keris Aman Capstone exercise is the largest international peacekeeping training event that will occur anywhere in the world this year,” Seymour said. “While it is impossible in only three weeks to present every challenge you may face in the future, the training you received will help prepare you to work through the multitude of difficult situations you will encounter as peacekeepers.”

Utilizing staff from its joint force headquarters and the Malaysian Peacekeeping Center, the MAF prepared the logistics, facilitated the training locations, designed scenarios and provided role players as the hosts for the exercise.

“This accomplishment reflects Malaysia’s deep commitment to training international peacekeepers,” Seymour said. “There are many in the MAF who should be congratulated, from the MAF Headquarters, to the Army, Navy and Air Force services for their support, and to the personnel who helped plan, organize and execute this event.”

The multinational exercise consisted of two major components including a staff training event (STE) and a field training event (FTE) for armed forces members and their trainers.

The STE combined Malaysian Armed Forces officers and invitees from 22 other nations to perform planning and analysis as part of a notional UN operations headquarters staff, and the FTE offered platoons from nine nations scenario lane training to enhance basic skills used during UN peacekeeping missions, such as patrolling, checkpoint operations, and convoy operations.

Keris Aman 2015 is the latest in a continuing series of training events in the Asia-Pacific region designed to promote regional peace and security and enhance the peacekeeping capabilities and capacity of nations participating in the U.S. State Dept. sponsored Global Peace Operations Initiative program.

“This is the first time that the Malaysian Armed Forces has organized a peacekeeping operation of this quantum and it would not have seen the light of day without the close support and able assistance from the State Department of the United States of America, especially the Global Peace Operations Initiative,” Zulkifeli said.

Through a long-term commitment to assist with training, facilities and equipment, the GPOI program works to meet increasing peace support operations requirements by helping to develop the level of indigenous peacekeeping capacity among the program’s participating nations.

“To the GPOI trainers, your support of the GPOI program and in the service of advancing peace is most deeply appreciated,” Seymour said. “Many of you have committed your lives to the service of mankind and in helping to bring peace and security to the world. Thank you for your important efforts.”