Under the patronage of the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the concluding stage of the joint drill, (Neon-Defender 23) was conducted Wednesday.
Several BDF branches, the Interior Ministry’s Coast Guard, the National Guard and the United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) participated in the joint exercise, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
Upon arrival at the site of the joint drill, the BDF Chief was welcomed by National Guard Commander, General His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Minister of Defence Affairs, Lieutenant-General Abdulla bin Hassan Al-Nuaimi, and Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Dheyab bin Saqr Al-Nuaimi.
Some holy Quran verses were recited, and then the drill Commander, Commodore Adnan Hussain Saqr, gave a briefing the various stages of the joint exercise.
Major Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa also gave a briefing about the closing stage of the drill.
The Commander-in-Chief was informed about the various stages of the exercise, and watched its final stage, which confirmed the high and advanced level of carefully studied planning and professionally elaborate implementation.
The drill achieved the forecast goals through cooperation and harmony among the forces participating in it, contributing to raising the level of military competence and improving combat readiness, within the framework of the existing programmes and plans aiming to develop means of training, qualification and exchange of experiences.
The BDF Chief asserted that thanks to the sound directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the plans to upgrade combat and administrative readiness are on the right track at various BDF’s branches and units.
He expressed his pride in the honorable level showcased by the BDF branches and units, the Ministry of Interior, the National Guard and NAVCENT during the joint exercise, praising their determination to perform the tasks entrusted to them to the fullest.
He affirmed that the BDF always seeks to carry out such joint exercises, and is working to develop them and increase the base of participants in them, which will achieve the maximum levels of benefit by opening up the horizons of science and field operational knowledge and enriching, refining and developing experiences to accommodate all that is new and modern in the defence field and its requirements to build a highly efficient defence force capable of performing the tasks entrusted to it with competence.
He further expressed his appreciation for and pride in the joint efforts exerted to ensure the success of this exercise, praising the constructive cooperation by everyone and their effective participation in this and previous editions.
Lastly, he extended thanks to all participants for their efforts, expressing hope that drill has benefited all the participants.
Following the conclusion of the drill, the BDF Chief was briefed on a number of missions, equipment, modern weapons, and advanced military technologies and mechanisms used in it.
Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chief of Public Security, Lieutenant-General Tariq Hassan Al-Hassan, Deputy Chief of the US Mission, David Brownstein, and Deputy NAVCENT Commander, Brigadier Sean Bailey, attended the event.
A number of Senior Officers from the BDF, Interior Ministry and the National Guard, the Military Attaché at the US Embassy in Bahrain, Colonel Christopher Floyd, as well as a number of Military Attachés at the Embassies of brotherly and friendly countries also attended.
