U.S., Malaysia Exercise Peacekeeping Skills During Keris Strike

Malaysian and U.S. Soldiers are working together to enhance peace support and stability operations skill sets during exercise Keris Strike, which began July 13 in Malaysia.

The exercise, sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and hosted by the Malaysian Army, is a combined brigade level staff exercise based on a United Nations peace enforcement scenario.

Keris Strike allows the combined, U.S. Army – Malaysian Army staff to work through the military decision making process together, ultimately increasing understanding and interoperability, while building important relationships.

Hawaii-based 9th Mission Support Command is leading the U.S. Army’s participation in the exercise.

U.S. Pacific Command’s strong military-to-military relationship with Malaysia includes a number of annual exercises such as Keris Strike, the recently concluded Malaysia phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), routine ship visits, as well as military-to-military discussions and professional forums.