The multinational Bright Star 25 military exercise officially began this week at the Mohamed Naguib Military Base in Egypt, in cooperation with US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Egyptian Army.
More than 40 countries are participating in the drill, which aims to enhance security cooperation and contribute to regional stability.
Ahead of the opening ceremony, Egyptian Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Ahmad Khalifa visited the base to inspect final preparations. During the tour, he met with both Egyptian and American teams organizing the event. The exercise is considered one of the largest of its kind globally.
“I am pleased to be at the training center and to meet participants from the Egyptian and American sides, as well as from the friendly nations taking part,” Lt.-Gen. Khalifa said.
“I would like to emphasize the importance of joint exercises, especially Bright Star, given the large number of participating countries and the exchange of expertise and knowledge they provide to all parties involved. Such joint training enhances our future operations. I have previously participated in Bright Star exercises, and they have had a significant and lasting impact - benefits I continue to draw on to this day.”
A strong spirit of cooperation
During his visit, Khalifa received briefings on the exercise’s planning and structure, observed drills, and spoke with US soldiers. He underscored what he described as a strong spirit of cooperation between the forces.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the Bright Star exercise is “a cornerstone of the US-Egypt defense partnership and plays a pivotal role in advancing peace and security across the Middle East. By training together, participating nations enhance interoperability, sharpen operational readiness, and align more closely on shared strategic objectives - building a stronger foundation for regional and global stability.”
Separately, CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper concluded his first official visit to Israel as part of a regional tour. He met with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior defense officials.
“The US commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad,” Cooper said at the end of his visit. “We are determined to advance regional security and stability.”