Cambodian, U.S. forces hold joint military exercise

Cambodian and U.S. military personnel on Monday kicked off a joint military exercise dubbed "Angkor Sentinel 2016," aimed to strengthen bilateral military ties and cooperation.

The two-week exercise is being held at the Training Centre for Multinational Peacekeeping Forces in Phnom Sroch district of Kampong Speu province, about 70 km west of Phnom Penh, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy here.

This year marks the 7th iteration of the exercise designed to strengthen the two countries'humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities and improve military-to-military cooperation, the statement said.

The exercise will include training and exchanges covering humanitarian assistance, disaster response, first aid, engineering, explosive ordnance disposal, countering improvised explosive devices, transporting people and supplies and developing leaders, said Julie Chung, Chargé d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia.

"Any country -- including both Cambodia and the United States - - will be a better, safer place to live with military people who are skilled in these functions,"she said.

Major General Edward F. Dorman III, commander of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, encouraged the more than 150 participants to enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to learn from each other's expertise and absorb each other's rich cultures and traditions.

"Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief are priorities for both of our countries, and as we operate together in this complex, ever-changing region, exercises like this one are critical to our regional stability and security," he said.

"When we join together, train together and grow together now, we ensure that we are prepared together for whatever the future may bring."