Indonesian airmen, Khaan Quest instructors and roles players gather for a group photo at the completion of their checkpoint scenarios at a simulated United Nations checkpoint at Five Hills Training Area in Mongolia during Khaan Quest 2011, Aug. 9. Exercises like this enhance the capabilities of the partner nations involved so they may operate as one when conducting joint peace keeping missions around the world. Khaan Quest officially started July 31 and continues until Aug 12. Photo by Master Sgt. Cohen Young

Members of the Indonesian air force participated in a United Nations peacekeeping scenario at Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia, Aug. 9 during Khaan Quest 2011, a joint exercise hosted by the Mongolian Armed Forces in partnership with U.S. Pacific Command forces.

Indonesian forces spent the day training and testing their resolve at checkpoint procedures with the help of a resilient and believable rowdy crowd.

“The scenario that we experienced was great. The role players were excellent,” said 1st Sgt. Zainul Arifin of the Indonesian air force. “My time in Lebanon was intense just like that.”

The Indonesian airmen spent the first part of the day in the classroom with U.S. Marines from Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then in the afternoon, they applied what was learned under the guidance of their instructors.

“The object is to make the scenario as real as possible, so that the squad will be prepared under real world conditions in a peacekeeping mission,” said Marine Sgt. Dane Riddle, a native of Delafield, Wis., and currently assigned to Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The scenario had the airmen manning a checkpoint in a United Nations’ mission.

The role players challenged the unit all the way until the end with a non-stop aggressive approach by yelling and throwing objects.

“The role players were actually MAF soldiers and the use of actual military members is vital to the training because they know what to look for and how to advance the scenario,” said Riddle.

The scenario is one that many United Nation forces actually perform around the world.

“We were supposed to be accessing everyone that crossed our particular checkpoint,” added Arifin. “We checked for ammunition, possible signs of human-trafficking violations, and we ensured the overall safety of our compound.

The training was the result of an exchange of various techniques from four different countries.

“Our training plan was based off of things that my Mongolian, Japanese and Cambodian counterparts and I came up with once we got here together,” added Riddle.

Teamwork and information exchange was the most important item in this training.

“It’s been great being here for this exercise and working with one another,” added Arifin. “We come to exercises like this and learn so much from each other and also get familiar with how [the] other works, which is why we are here.

Khaan Quest 2011 started July 29 and concluded Aug. 12.

Khaan Quest is a multinational peace-operations exercise that consisted of five activities, which were a peacekeeping seminar, a command post exercise, a field training exercise, a humanitarian civic activity and a medical readiness training exercise.

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Story by Master Sgt. Cohen Young

Mongolian Ophthalmologist Mirankhjin Naasantser prepares to test the eyesight of a patient during a consultation at the Buynt Uhaa Complex in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Aug. 9 during Khaan Quest 2011, a combined joint-exercise hosted by the Mongolian Armed Forces in partnership with U.S. Pacific Command forces. Medical Civil Action Programs like this enable the countries involved to become familiar with one another in addition to helping the community of the host country. Khaan Quest officially started July 31 and continues until Aug. 12.

Military doctors, nurses and medics from five countries came together to deliver general healthcare, optometry and dental services to a small suburb of Ulaabaatar, Mongolia from Aug 6-9, while participating in Khaan Quest 2011, a U.S. Marine led exercise designed to strengthen the interoperability of U.S., Mongolian and other participating nations’ forces in humanitarian civil action projects and multinational joint peace keeping missions around the world.

The temporary clinic held inside the Buynt Uhaa Complex, has averaged at least 900 patients each day since the joint multinational team has been working, according to Lt. Col John Boston, a native of Wasilla, Alaska and a member of 176th Medical Group, Alaska Air National Guard.

The exercise enables partner nations to become familiar with one another.

Khan Quest helps build relationships with the U.S., Mongolia and the other countries that are represented so that we may work better together in the future,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Steve Kriss, a doctor assigned to 3rd Marine Logistics Group, Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan.

More importantly than helping the multinational medical team become familiar with one another is the service that is provided to those in the community as they get treated.

“Access to care and education to care is sometimes different outside of the United States,” said Boston. “We’ve been seeing people that might not have had access to pediatric care or gynecology or ultrasounds technology”

The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force has taken this medical outreach to another level. They aren’t just helping, but they are teaching and exchanging techniques so that the Mongolian healthcare system improves as well.

Mongolian Armed Forces Lt. Col Elbegjargal Buyantogtoich examines the cornea of an elderly Mongolian woman during a consultation at the Buynt Uhaa Complex in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Aug. 9 during Khaan Quest 2011, a combined joint-exercise hosted by the Mongolian Armed Forces in partnership with U.S. Pacific Command forces.

“The service that we are providing right now will only benefit the community for a short time,” said Criss. “We’re also providing training in areas that will endure and last long after we’re gone.”

The exchange in information has been in trauma care, combat injures and in some cases new equipment was introduced to some of the Mongolian doctors.

“I had the opportunity to use a tonometer, which measures the ocular pressure of the eye,” said Mongolian ophthalmologist Ms. Mirankhjin Naasantser. “We don’t use this kind of new equipment here at our hospital, but I can see the benefits if we had it at our disposal.”

Many of the translators at the clinic are doctors themselves, which makes it easy when medical terms need to be explained to the patient. The doctors were thrilled to be part of such a great exercise.

“It’s been an honor to work as a team with the MAF and U.S. doctors,” added Naasantser. “We’re learning from each other.

This exercise is about helping the host country improve on their medical practices, which is a huge benefit to all that are involved. The medical portion of Khaan Quest has participants from Canada, the Republic of Korea, India, the United States and Mongolia.

The medical portion will conclude on Aug. 11 and the overall exercise will end on Aug. 12 with a ceremony held at the Five Hills Training Area.

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Phtotos and Story by Master Sgt. Cohen Young

The Mongolian state honor guard performs during the opening ceremony of Exercise Khaan Quest 2011 near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, July 31. Khaan Quest is a training exercise designed to strengthen the capabilities of U.S., Mongolian and other nations’ forces in international peace support operations worldwide. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Demetrius Munnerlyn

Exercise Khaan Quest 2011 kicked off after the opening ceremony at Five Hills Training Area near Ulaanbatar, Mongolia, July 31.

Service members and delegates of more than 10 participating nations were addressed by Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj, Lt. Gen. Ts. Byambajav, chief of general staff, Mongolian Armed Forces, and Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and commander, Marine Corps Bases Japan.

“The government and the people of Mongolia consider Khaan Quest as an event of profound importance, making valid contribution to expanding the rights of United Nations peace keepers, and increasing peace support capacities of participating nations, promoting security and military confidence in the Asia Pacific region,” Elbegdorj said. “I want every peace keeper to aim at obtaining the necessary skills and expertise in military affairs required for United Nations peace support operations, ultimately being prepared to stand up to any unexpected threat.”

Khaan Quest is a combined joint-exercise hosted by the Mongolian armed forces in partnership with U.S. Pacific Command forces, and has been conducted annually since 2003 at the Five Hills Training Area in Mongolia. It is a multinational exercise that supports peacekeeping operations and consists of different events including, a command post exercise, a field training exercise, an engineering civic action program and a medical civic action program.

“Khaan Quest has become the world’s preeminent peacekeeping exercise,” Glueck said. “We have learned that we can maintain security more effectively when we pursue it as partners working in conjunction with like-minded countries with mutual interest.”

The command post exercise supports the Mongolian Defense Reform Program’s goal to establish and globally deploy battalion-sized units as part of a coalition force.

The goal of the field training exercise is to improve multinational speed of response, mission effectiveness, interoperability, unity of effort and individual skill. During the field training exercise, the multinational forces will complete various training scenarios and weapons familiarization and share military tactics, techniques and procedures. Marines from 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, will be participating in the field training exercise and serving as live-fire range instructors and Marine Corps martial arts instructors.

The engineering and medical civic action programs are intended to promote civil-military interoperability and enhance medical and engineering capabilities. The joint medical teams will provide basic medical care in an unfamiliar environment, offering preventative medicine, dental and veterinary care. Care will be provided to Mongolians who lack regular access to medical care, and the newly constructed medical facility wing, which will last for years to come, will be presented to the communities.

Khaan Quest also serves as an opportunity to strengthen multinational relationships in the Pacific region and is a premier combined joint-training exercise designed to strengthen the capabilities of U.S., Mongolian and partner forces in individual and small-unit tactics.

“The fundamental values of security, stability and prosperity are common to us all,” Glueck said. “Finding a group of nations willing to pursue these values seems simple enough – though we know the actual implementation is often more challenging.”

Additional goals of the exercise include working with the Mongolian Armed Forces in further developing the Five Hills Training Area, enhancing peace-support capabilities, and increasing interoperability and planning proficiency among all participant forces.

“Khaan Quest is an outstanding example of how like-minded nations can work together in a common cause,” Glueck said.

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Story by Cpl. Tyler Main

Sgt. Nicholas Maugeri, squad leader with Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, teams up with Georgian soldiers to conduct Military Operations in an Urban Terrain training July 19 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Photo by Cpl. Nana Dannsaappiah

Georgian soldiers can be found fighting alongside U.S. Marines on the frontlines of the Afghanistan. But to ensure both parties work well together on the battlefield requires practice conducted on the training grounds.

Marines from Anti-Terrorism Battalion based in Rochester, N.Y., and Black Sea Rotational Force 11, alongside soldiers from the Georgian 4th Infantry Brigade practiced Military Operations in an Urban Terrain (MOUT) during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Agile Spirit is designed to increase interoperability between the forces by exchanging and enhancing each country’s capacity in counterinsurgency (COIN) and peacekeeping (PKO) operations, including: small unit tactics, convoy operations and counter-improvised explosive device training.

“Because of our partnership in Afghanistan, and in order to work with us and support our mission, the [Georgian soldiers] have to be able to move and do what we do or at least understand it,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Bauer, an infantryman with Black Sea Rotational Force 11 and an Elk Grove, Calif., native.

In Overseas Contingency Operations, Marines conduct COIN operations in which they encounter enemies holed-up in small towns and villages. The urban environment presents challenges to troop safety and mission accomplishment because the enemy has cover and concealment in the buildings in towns and villages.

The interoperability training between the Georgians and the Marines focused on overcoming MOUT challenges by sharing proven tactics and techniques among each other and practicing them numerous times.

The Marines and Georgians began their training with lessons from instructors on principles of MOUT and different techniques for room clearing. The instructors drew diagrams and gave demonstrations while translators echoed their messages to the students.

The students showed their interest in the subject with frequent questions.

With almost 1,000 troops contributing in Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand province, room-clearing techniques, MOUT and COIN training can really help while fighting on the frontlines alongside U.S. Marines.

Following the classes, the Marines and Georgians teamed up to apply the lessons they were taught.

Instructors observed as mixed teams of Marines and Georgians entered buildings and cleared rooms. They looked for application of basic techniques and principles. The instructors occasionally stopped the teams to point out any missed steps or mistakes and explained the reasons for applying specific techniques.

“We utilize techniques to make sure we are as safe as possible inside a house,” said Gunnery Sgt. Charles Evers, an infantryman with Black Sea Rotational Force 11 and a Lewiston, Idaho, native.

Sgt. Spencer McAvoy, a squad leader with Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, clears a room with Georgian soldiers July 19 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Photo by Cpl. Nana Dannsaappiah

With each round, the teams were clearing rooms with fewer mistakes, and the instructors didn’t have to interrupt and explain as many times.

After several times maneuvering through the buildings, the teams were moving through faster and smoothly by communicating and synching their movements.

The smiles on their faces overshadowed the sweat running down their foreheads as they gave each other thumbs ups and traded “kudos” after practicing clearing rooms several times, gaining more comfort.

“They are doing good and understanding proper room clearing tactics and techniques,” said Cpl. Nicholas Ediss, a fire team leader with the BSRF-11, and a Reno, Nev., native.

“It’s a great first time because even with the language barrier, we are able to work together.

The Marines and the Georgian Armed Forces will be training alongside each other for the next two weeks of Agile Spirit. This type of training and interoperability is a stepping stone to the success of the joint missions that are currently being conducted in Afghanistan.

Black Sea Rotational Force 11 is a rotational deployment of Marines to the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucasus regions to work with partner and allied nations to help build their military capacity, promote stability throughout the region, and build enduring partnerships with 13 nations throughout Eastern Europe.

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Story by Cpl. Nana Dannsaappiah

Pilots from Australian, United Arab Emirates and U.S. army aviation task forces pose for a group photo before a combined mission June 30 to destroy insurgent repeater towers in southern Afghanistan. This was the first time the three nations' aviators had worked together in an effort in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo by Spc. Mario Smith

The International Security Assistance Force, composed of countries worldwide, was established to secure Afghanistan.

June 28 marked the first day of a series of missions that enabled pilots from Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States to embrace the ISAF dream as they combined forces to destroy insurgent repeater towers in southern Afghanistan.

It was the first time that the United Arab Emirates has joined forces with a U.S. Army combat aviation brigade, in this case, Task Force Thunder, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, for such an operation.

United Arab Emirates Army Aviation Task Force 14 pilots flew an AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter, and pilots from Troop A, Task Force Palehorse, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, flew an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter over mountainous terrain in a combined effort to destroy insurgent communication towers.

The towers, which resemble radio antennas, were strategically placed along mountainsides for maximum reception and were difficult to see from a distance.

“We were able to locate the repeaters through deliberate reconnaissance and other forms of intelligence gathering,” said Maj. Matthew Chambers, the fire support officer for Task Force Thunder.

A repeater is a tower that collects information sent to it from one radio and sends the information to another radio, allowing a flow of long-range communication.

“Whenever we destroy or disable an insurgent repeater tower, it disrupts their command and control structure,” Chambers said.

“Communication is the number one key for any soldier on the battlefield,” said Warrant Officer Jeff Hughes, an electronic warfare officer for Task Force Thunder. “If you can’t communicate, you can’t complete the mission.”

The United Arab Emirates is a strong supporter of coalition efforts here and contributes greatly to efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.

“They invest just as much time as we do while we’re deployed, and they want to get involved,” said Capt. Joshua D. England, OH-58 Kiowa helicopter pilot and commander for Troop A, Task Force Palehorse.

The three countries came together as one unit to work together toward a common goal, a solidification of a unified effort in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Maj. Dean Thompson, the Australian army aviator attached to Task Force Thunder, who flew in the Kiowa, said he was proud to have had the opportunity to work in conjunction with both the United Arab Emirates and the U.S.

“It was a great opportunity to learn from pilots of other countries,” he said. “I was impressed with the professional atmosphere.”

The pilots from the United Arab Emirates agree.

Omar S. Al Kuait, an AH-64 Apache pilot for the United Arab Emirates Army Aviation Task Force 14, said not only was it a success, but he felt joining forces with other ISAF forces for this mission was an excellent recommendation, and he would be happy to join forces again in the future.

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By Spc. Jennifer Andersson
Task Force Thunder Public Affairs