Story by: Pfc. Phil Regina, 9^th Mission Support Command Public Affairs Office
Photos By: Pfc. Nevada Smith, California National Guard"s 40^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office

HONOLULU - Soldiers from the Army Reserve"s 9th Mission Support Command (MSC) and the California Army National Guard's 40th Infantry Brigade Combat Team took part in the opening ceremony of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2008, a two-week joint military exercise conducted with the Indian Army's 49th Brigade here Friday, October 24.
     Yudh Abhyas is a bi-lateral, brigade level, U.N.-modeled peace support operation in which U.S. military personnel work hand-in-hand with the Indian Military.
     "We are always looking for a friend or ally to work with us. That is why this exercise, where we have an opportunity to work with the Indian Army, is very important," said Brig. Gen. John Y.H. Ma, the Deputy Commander for the U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Army Pacific.
     Soldiers from the 9th MSC, Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii, the 411th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), and the California National Guard's 40th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are taking part in the exercise.
     The U.N.-modeled peace keeping operation allows all involved a greater grasp of possible real-life situations that follow the same model.
     "We are here to learn from one another, to learn each other's tactics, technique's and procedures. This allows us to work together in a real world mission with minimum difficulty," added Ma.

     The U.S. and Indian military personnel are working hand-in-hand with civilian role players who have had extensive experience in real-world U.N. operations.
     "This exercise allows U.S. military personnel the opportunity to gain a better perspective on what actually happens during peacekeeping operations," explained Than Le, the Manager for Emergency Operations for the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID). "Regardless of the situation, whether its disaster relief or civil disputes, militaries are not alone in providing relief, Soldiers must often work hand-in-hand with the U.N., non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international aid agencies to achieve a shared mission."
 

     For the U.S. Soldiers involved in the exercise, establishing personal relationships with the Indians is of the utmost importance.
     "I've never worked with a foreign military before and being a part of this exercise has given me the opportunity to experience something completely different," said Sgt. Jose Sanchez, of the California National Guard.
 

     "I feel extremely fortunate to be taking part in this exercise" added Sanchez, "The Indian Army is a highly trained, very professional force. They bring a wealth of information and experience to this exercise," explained Sanchez.
     The Indian army personnel are just as enthused as their U.S. counterparts.

     "I'm very pleased with the confidence and professionalism of the U.S. military," said Maj. Shantaru Roy, of the Indian Army. "Also, I feel that taking part in joint exercises such as this has immense real-life implications. I have personally been involved in real-life U.N. operations and by nature, they are always multi-national, joint operations. This exercise gives all involved the opportunity to prepare themselves for a situation that may present itself in the future."