CAMP ILLISKY, Kazakhstan (8/8/11) – Flags from five nations were raised as more than 200 U.S. Soldiers participated in the opening ceremony for exercise Steppe Eagle at Camp Illisky Aug. 8.

Kazakhstan began hosting Steppe Eagle in 2003 and Third Army /ARCENT has been a participant from the beginning.

The annual multi-lateral exercise is conducted with the participation of troops from the Arizona National Guard, Third Army /ARCENT and the Kazakh Peace Keeping Battalion.

The U.S. has increased the number of it’s participants in this exercise at the request of the Kazakh military leadership. The 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment of the Colorado National Guard from Fort Carson, Colo. provided the additional personnel.

“Nothing can replace the kind of cooperation and camaraderie that results from Soldiers interacting with each other on the ground at exercises such as Steppe Eagle.” said Col. Stanley Reedy, Third Army /ARCENT chief of exercises and plans and chief of Steppe Eagle.

Throughout the next ten days, Soldiers of the 1-157th will train with the Kazkhastan military, developing the skills and understanding necessary to work together during peacekeeping and emergency missions.

Cpl. Daniel Breneman, third platoon weapons squad leader for Company A,  1-157, said he’s looking forward to training alongside the Kazakh soldiers.

“I have enjoyed meeting the Kazakh people,” said Breneman.

Third Army /ARCENT’s role in Steppe Eagle is to provide military decision-making process training to the Kazakh brigade and battalion staff.

The United Kingdom has played a role in Steppe Eagle since 2003, while the Kazakh government  invited Kyrgyzstan and Lithuania to participate in this year’s exercise.

“As I look out upon the Soldiers in formation I can see that they are ready,” Reedy said. “They are ready to create a bond from common experiences.”

Opportunities like Steppe Eagle help us build trusted relationships and mutual understanding, while allowing Third Army/ARCENT to practice interoperability and continue their mission of shaping the future.