U.S.-Qatari exercise Eastern Action 19 completed in Qatar.

Qatari and U.S. Army Central forces launched into Exercise Eastern Action 19 on Nov. 4, 2018. Soldiers from the U.S. 2nd Battalion, 198th Armor Regiment, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Spartan, and Qatari Emiri Land Forces, combined for the ceremony and will join forces the Command Post and Field Training Exercises.

Qatari Army Capt. Hamad Labda, the commander of Rapid Reaction Battalion, Qatar Emiri Land Force, addresses U.S. and Qatari military forces at the opening ceremony of Exercise Eastern Action 2019, Nov. 4, 2018 (Photo U.S. Army National Guard / Spc. Jovi Prevot)

“This exercise is one that has been taking place for several years,” said Col. Robert B. Kuth, commander of Area Support Group-Qatar, ARCENT. “Since the first iteration, we have focused upon enhancement of interoperability of land forces, as we build partnership capacity together. Both of our nations are committed to promoting security and stability, in pursuit of shared mutual interests, throughout the region.”

Kuth emphasized that this year was to be the first that a Field Training Exercise would be held in addition to the reoccurring command post exercise. “It is out in the desert where we will communicate and refine our common goals of contributing to regional and world stability, through improving operational readiness and mutual enhancement of the understanding of each other’s forces, as a symbol of our growing partnership,” said Kuth.

One individual looking forward to the combined exercise is Lt. Col. Chris Cooksey, battalion commander of the 2-198 AR. “As I look at the capabilities of the equipment gathered here, we have tremendous opportunity to exercise here with our Qatari partners,” said Cooksey.

The exercise is now completed and lessons have to be learnt from its results.