A U.S. Central Command-sponsored military drill has kicked off in Tajikistan.

The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe says U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan John Pommersheim yesterday welcomed participants of the Regional Cooperation 22 military maneuvers, which are being conducted from August 10 to August 20.

"As the largest U.S. military-to-military exercise involving Central and South Asian nations, Regional Cooperation 22 is an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen relationships with our partners in that region. The exercise serves as a forum for addressing relevant regional issues including peaceful responses to global challenges, information exchange, and security cooperation,” Ambassador Pommersheim said.

Regional Cooperation is an annual exercise that focuses on enhancing multinational stability operations, counterterrorism, and promoting cooperation and joint combined capabilities among U.S. Central and South Asia states, and other participating nations.

According to the statement, the United States, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan will take part in a six-day command-post exercise, while Tajikistan and the United States will conduct a five-day bilateral field-training component of the exercise at the Fakhrobod Training Center.

The exercise will provide an opportunity to coordinate, synchronize, and react to events in a non-threatening environment.  The exercise is designed to:

-           Enhance regional security and stability;

-           Increase national capabilities and commitment to interdict weapons of mass destruction, terrorist elements, and narcotics;

-           Help develop regional defense forces in international peace operations and information sharing.

Training provided during RC 22 promotes cooperation and interoperability, builds functional capacity, supports stability operations, and enhances responsiveness between multinational organizations.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Regional Cooperation exercise series had been conducted annually since 2004 in one of the participant countries, including in the United States.