U.S., Bangladesh Militaries To Conduct Joint Disaster Relief Exercise

August 10, 2008 1:53 p.m. EST

Dhaka, Bangladesh (AHN) - A United States Marine Corps team based in Okinawa, Japan will visit Bangladesh to participate in a humanitarian assistance exercise along with the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

The five-day exercise called "Durjoge Durnibar," ("fearless in any disaster") will simulate disaster relief operations following an earthquake, an American Center press statement said in the capital, Dhaka on Sunday.

Joint exercises improve the ability of the U.S. and Bangladesh to work together in future natural disasters as well as demonstrate the United States government's commitment to Bangladesh and to regional security by promoting military-to-military relationships throughout Asia and the Pacific region, according to the statement.

"In addition to disaster preparedness, our militaries have worked in partnership on issues ranging from humanitarian assistance to medical training," it added.

The U.S. Marine Corps team is led by Brigadier General Ronald Bailey, who commanded the U.S. military forces that provided immediate humanitarian assistance following Cyclone Sidr.