An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 2, 2021

Guardsman strengthens relationships at Yudh Abhyas 21

By Joseph Siemandel, Joint Force Headquarters - Washington National Guard

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Building partnerships with foreign allies is critical to the success of the U.S. military. That is why Maj. Sameer Puri, chief information officer for the Washington Army National Guard, took part in the Yudh Abhyas 21 Exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska Oct. 15-25.

"For me, Yudh Abyhas is a great exercise to emphasize the growing threat of nonkinetic warfare while being a cultural ambassador between U.S. and Indian armies, to build better partnerships," said Puri. "It was also a great learning experience for me."

Yudh Abhyas is a bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the combined interoperability of the Indian Army and U.S. Army. The 14-day exercise is designed to enable the exchange of knowledge, ideas and concepts between the two militaries. It is focused on enhancing cohesion and interoperability.

Puri, who migrated from India to the United States in 1999, the same year he enlisted in the Army, traveled to India in February 2021 to take part in Yudh Abhyas 20. He quickly proved to be a valuable asset in the exercise because of his knowledge of the area, language capabilities and ability to conduct cyber-defense planning.

"During Yudh Abhyas, both Indian and U.S. staff officers had to emphasize on the planning process for the exercises," said Puri. "Both staffs became familiar with one another, but having already connected with them prior and sharing the same language helped break down barriers."

A total of 300 U.S. Army Soldiers and 350 Indian Army soldiers participated in October's exercise. Events included counterinsurgency/counterterrorism environment activities in coordination with a United Nations mandate.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general of the Washington National Guard, and Lt. Gen. Nur Hafis bin Abdul Karim, deputy chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, exchange gifts during an office visit Sept. 12, 2025, at Camp Murray, Wash. The Washington National Guard and Malaysia have been partners through the National Guard State Partnership Program since August 2017.
Washington Guard Hosts Visit From Royal Malaysian Air Force Deputy Chief
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 16, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - The Washington National Guard welcomed a senior delegation from Malaysia as part of its long-standing partnership Sept. 11 – 13 at Camp Murray and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The delegation included...

Col. Craig Broyles, commander, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, talks about the Infantry Squad Vehicle with visitors during Exercise Raven Focus at the Yakima Training Center, July 17, 2025.
Washington Army National Guard Selected for New Mobile Brigade
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 10, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – The Washington Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team has been selected to take on a new mission and transform to a Mobile Brigade as part of a major U.S. Army modernization effort."Change...