BDF task force to participate in "North Thunder" drill

Manama, Feb. 16 (BNA): A Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) task force left the kingdom earlier today heading to the King Khalid Military City in Hadr Al-Batin, north of Saudi Arabia. The BDF task force will participate in the largest military maneuver in the history of the region, the "North Thunder," led by Saudi Arabia, with the participation of 20 Arab and Islamic countries to protect against the dangers of terrorism and to prepare for facing the challenges posed by terrorist organisations. The BDF task force had completed all combat and administrative preparedness ahead of its participation in all the air and ground stages of the drill, set to start on February 17, and the final exercise which will kick-off on February 26 and run and until March 5, 2016. While visiting the task force, the BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said that the force's participation in the joint drill, the "North Thunder", was in implementation of the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, in this regard. The participation is in line with HM King Hamad's keenness on consolidating the frameworks of joint military coordination with GCC and Arab countries in a bid to achieve the common goals and enhance complementarity, he explained. The mobilsation drill aims to strengthen military cooperation among GCC, Arab and Islamic countries, upgrade the combat preparedness of the participating troops, and train them on the modern combat mechanisms and methods, and provide a platform for them to gain more field experience, he added. Armed forces are the bulwark that protects countries' gains and achievements, and the "North Thunder" is within efforts to build such a bulwark, the commander-in-chief said, adding that "Our combat approach is a legitimate and defensive one aiming to achieve security and stability." He pointed out that the Bahrain Defence Force adopts a policy based on cooperation and joint coordination, and is committed to working collectively with brotherly and friendly countries in confronting security threats through the GCC, which, he said, is evident in its participation in the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Support legitimacy in Yemen. The commander-in-chief affirmed that GCC and Arab countries have made quantum leaps in military coordination and cooperation and joint defence thanks to the directives and sound visions of their leaderships. He stressed that the BDF always welcomes participation in the 'constructive' joint drills that reflect the depth of brotherly relations and contribute to strengthening the pillars of military cooperation among GCC, Arab and Islamic countries, expressing hope that the 'ambitious' military approach will continue in order to be able to face all kinds of threats effectively. Upon directives from HM King Hamad, the Supreme Commander, the BDF will continue its unwavering efforts to develop its training plans in order to improve the performance and preparedness of its staff, he said. It will also provide its units with the latest cutting edge equipment and weapons so as to be ready to defend the nation and support brotherly countries under all circumstances.