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Nov 18 - Exercise Jebel Sahara A "Shining Example Of Defence Engagement"

The strong and longstanding relationship between the British and Moroccan Armed Forces continues to grow through annual training Exercise Jebel Sahara.

The month-long light infantry exercise is based a few miles north of Marrakech and involves around 500 British and Moroccan troops.

Exercise Jebel Sahara was initially an annual training exercise for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG) who established a relationship with the Moroccan Deuxieme Brigade d’Infanterie Parachutiste (2BIP) 15 years ago.

The value of the exercise to other British Army units has been widely recognised and the exercise now rotates annually between units from 4th Infantry Brigade and the RG. Last year the Light Dragoons deployed on Exercise Jebel Sahara and were supported by elements of the RG. This year the RG led the exercise with support from a number of units, the re-introduction of the Joint Helicopter Force Training, who provided Puma support to the exercise, was a particularly welcome addition.

The importance of the relationship was highlighted by newly appointed HM Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, Karen Betts, who paid a visit to the training ground.

She said: "I was very impressed by the exercise; the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and the Moroccan military had an excellent working relationship and were learning an enormous amount from each other in the joint exercise.  This is an important part of our defence relationship with Morocco, and a critical way in which the British Army hones its ability to operate alongside other militaries and in different terrain.  I hope we will continue to build on the strong relationships that have been established through the annual exercise."

Colonel Major Azeddine Badr from 2BIP echoed the sentiments as he welcomed the Ambassador, Commander British Forces and the UK Defence Attaché to Morocco to the Forward Operating Base at Camp RAM RAM. He explained that the strong military relationship with the RG was established in the year 2000 and he expressed a desire for the relationship to continue to grow with both the RG and other British units who take part in future exercises.

Following a tour of Camp RAM RAM the VIP’s were taken by Puma helicopter to the training ground to witness live firing, joint strike operation battle training and sniper training.

The training ground in Morocco provides the perfect terrain for harsh training conditions, the ground is vast and uneven and set amid the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. It is arid, barren and littered with sharp rocks and stones that can present challenges when driving or crawling on the ground. The temperatures soared to 40oC in the middle of the day providing the troops with an opportunity to train in difficult climate.

Commander British Forces, Commodore Ian McGhie was particularly struck by the strong relationship between the troops on the ground.

He said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to witness the high quality joint training on the exercise ground. Despite the potential for a language barrier between our two nations this is clearly mitigated through strong translation skills from the soldiers in both the RG and 2BIP. The bond has been formed over a number of years and this mutually beneficial, high end training exercise is key to continuing to develop the relationship in the future. This exercise epitomises and is an exemplar of exactly what the UK government and Ministry of Defence is looking for in terms of wider regional engagement and defence diplomacy. I commend the RG and 2BIP."

Defence Attaché to Morocco, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Warner is responsible for taking forward the security and military co-operation between the UK Armed Forces and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.

He was impressed by the strength of the relationship between the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and 2BIP, and said: "I think it is possibly unique and certainly a far more developed relationship than I had expected to find anywhere. It is fairly extraordinary to find two organisations that have worked so closely together for 15 years, exercising twice a year, once a year in Morocco and once a year in the UK when the Moroccan Army train with the RG on Exercise Jebel Tarik. I think this is a shining example of what can be achieved with Defence Engagement."

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