http://www.jordantimes.com/Wed/news/news7.htm


September 5, 2001

US equipment starts arriving in Egypt for the world's
largest military manoeuvres

CAIRO (AP) — US troops, tanks and artillery are
pouring into the Mediterranean port of Dekheila for
the world's largest military exercises, Egyptian
Defence Ministry sources said Tuesday.
The 10-days war games dubbed Bright Star are due to
begin Oct. 13. Forces from 10 nations will take part,
familiarising themselves with each other's equipment
and techniques.

The main military manoeuvres, including land, sea and
air operations, are to begin on Oct. 18 and runs
through Oct. 23.

The biannual Bright Star manoeuvres began in 1981 as a
US-Egyptian training exercise. Other nations joined
over the years. This year, eight other countries will
take part in the exercises designed to improve the
ability of allies from the United States, Europe and
the Middle East to work together in times of war.

Jordan, Greece and Germany will take part in the
exercises for the second time. France, Britain, Italy,
Spain and Kuwait will also participate.

Egypt, a strategic ally of the United States, is the
second-largest recipient of US military aid, after
Israel, receiving $1.3 billion a year in military aid.

It was the first Arab country to sign a peace
agreement with Israel and is a key player in Mideast
peacemaking efforts.

About 18,000 US soldiers took part in the last
manoeuvres. This year, some 14,000 American troops are
expected to take part.

On Monday and Tuesday, about 110 people from Hill Air
Force Base in Utah began heading to Egypt as an
advance team to build an air base. They will set up
electrical and water operations, along with a tent
city and dining facility.

Gen. Tommy Franks, head of the US Central Command, was
in Egypt in August and held meetings with Egypt's top
brass about the exercises as well as the escalation of
violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

On Aug. 19, Egypt received four F-16 jets from
Lockheed Martin, the first batch of its six orders of
F-16s, a company statement said. Four more aircraft
are to be ferried to Egypt in early September.

The six orders make Egypt the second biggest repeat
buyer after the US Air Force, according to an official
of the US aeronautics company.