UK, Morocco conduct joint exercise

25th November 2015 - 09:30 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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The UK and Moroccan armed forces have conducted Jebel Sahara, a month-long joint training exercise which concluded in the third week of November, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 23 November.

Around 500 troops from both UK and Moroccan forces participated in the exercise conducted near Marrakech in Morocco.

The exercise provided a training opportunity for army units from 4 Brigade, and this year the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG), to train with the Moroccan Deuxieme Brigade d’Infanterie Parachutiste (2BIP).

Joint helicopter force training was re-introduced at this year's exercise, with Puma helicopters providing support.

Commodore Ian McGhie, commander British forces, said: ‘This bond has been formed over a number of years and this mutually beneficial, high end training exercise is key to continuing to develop the relationship in the future. This exercise epitomises and is an exemplar of exactly what the UK government and MoD is looking for in terms of wider regional engagement and defence diplomacy. I commend the RG and 2BIP.’