Egypt, US forge stronger partnership in joint drills

During the final stages of the multinational exercise Bright Star 2025, US military leaders shared exclusive insights with The Egyptian Gazette, underscoring the deep and enduring partnership between Egypt, and the United States.
Colonel Lee Breard, Director of Exercises for US Central Command, underscored the importance of partnership during this year’s Bright Star 2025 military exercise, hosted in Egypt.
“Our main objective is to build partnerships and work together to address shared security challenges” he told The Gazette. Breard said “We have over 40 countries participating, with 8,500 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines here in Egypt working together on the objectives of Bright Star. I think it’s an outstanding success”.
“From a military co-operation standpoint, there is no better friend than Egypt in this region,” telling the newspaper.
Breard, who has visited Egypt six times, praised both the hospitality and the professionalism of the Egyptian Armed Forces. “I’m super impressed with the dedication and perseverance of your military, and I absolutely love this exercise.
“I’m already looking forward to Bright Star 2027,” he added.
He stressed that interoperability – the ability of different militaries to operate side by side – remains the core message of the exercise.
“It’s showing that our militaries can work together, as you saw today, to accomplish the objectives needed to foster security”.
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen O’Leary of the United States Air Force, currently serving at the US Embassy in Egypt, emphasied the importance of Exercise Bright Star 2025 as a platform for strengthening international military co-operation.
O’Leary, who has spent the past 14 months working in the Office of Military Co-operation, played a key role in planning the exercise alongside US Central Command and other American military branches. he told The Egyptian Gazette.
A notable innovation in this year’s Bright Star is the introduction of a practical cyber component. O’Leary described the addition as “a very good step forward” in addressing modern security challenges.
The overarching message of Bright Star 2025, according to O’Leary, lies in unity. With 44 nations participating, the exercise demonstrates that co-operation is not limited to Egypt, and the United States. Instead, militaries from across the globe are training in planning, practicing, and executing complex maneuvers – all carried out safely and professionally.