DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: Exercise Leading Edge 2010

Posted on January 28, 2010 by glenn.selby

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable with Mike Perron, program manager Office of Intelligence and Operations Coordination for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Navy Cmdr. Tony Crego, Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy directorate (J-5) in the Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Division discussed Exercise Leading Edge 2010.

Exercise Leading Edge 2010 was held in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 25-28. This exercise is a USCENTCOM-hosted and U.S. Government Interagency-supported multinational Proliferation Security Initiative exercise designed to develop WMD interdiction capabilities with partner nations to deter and disrupt illicit transfers of WMD-related material, technology, expertise and equipment, to include addressing the challenges of suspect material inspection, seizure, and disposition.

Abu Dhabi, UAE (January 25, 2010) United States Air Force Maj. Gen. R. Benjamin Bartlett, US Central Command Director, Exercises and Training, presents Lt. Gen. Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, with a gift on behalf of US Central Command during the opening ceremonies of exercise Leading Edge 2010 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Exercise Leading Edge is a U.S. Central Command hosted and U.S. Government Interagency supported multinational exercise. It offers an opportunity for the U.S., in partnership with the United Arab Emirates and 28 other nations concerned about WMD proliferation, to refine interdiction tactics, techniques and procedures and study related challenges in a cooperative and mutually supportive environment. This exercise centers around the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), launched in 2003. By participating in the PSI, nations from all over the world have made a commitment to taking active measures against WMD trafficking. There have been over 30 exercises of this type that send a message to proliferators that there is a global network of nations committed to stopping proliferation of WMD.

Abu Dhabi, UAE (January 25, 2010) United Abu Dhabi, UAE (January 25, 2010) United States Air Force Maj. Gen. R. Benjamin Bartlett, US Central Command Director, Exercises and Training, presents Lt. Gen. Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, with a gift on behalf of US Central Command during the opening ceremonies of exercise Leading Edge 2010 in Abu Dhabi, UAE..S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Bash

This exercise represents an opportunity for the U.S. and 30 other nations concerned about WMD proliferation to refine WMD interdiction tactics, techniques and procedures and study related challenges (legal, military, financial, etc.) in a cooperative and mutually supportive environment.

Joining us on the call were: Dale Kissinger, www.militaryavenue.com; Grim, www.blackfive.net; Greg Grant, John Doyle, http://4gwar.wordpress.com ; Greg Grant, www.military.com; and Jen DiMascio, www.politico.com.

LISTEN to the interview.

To read the transcript click here.

Watch video coverage from Exercise Leading Edge 2010.

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