US, Pakistan to conduct joint military drills in October

WASHINGTON: The US Central Command has said that the United States and Pakistan will conduct a range of joint military exercises starting in autumn this year.

According to policy documents, the two countries have more than 100 engagements and exercises planned.

The joint drills are expected to begin in October. It will focus on a broad spectrum of military components, including air, land, sea and special operations

The planned engagements between the two countries’ militaries include seminars and other forums covering a range of topics that includes counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, civil-military cooperation, intelligence.

Earlier this month, Pakistani and US military representatives gathered at the Macdill Air Force Base in Florida for the 24th US-Pakistan Military Consultative Committee, an annual forum for reviewing military-to-military engagements and exercises between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Pakistani Rear Adm. Ahmed Saeed, director general of the Pakistan military’s joint warfighting and training. US representation at the MCC was led by Maj. Gen. Steven Busby, US Central Command's director of strategy, plans and policy, while other CENTCOM representatives also participated in the MCC.