Cambodia and the United States will hold a joint military exercise dubbed "Angkor Sentinel" from May 16-29 in Kampong Speu province, aiming at promoting bilateral ties, said a media statement from U.S. Embassy to Cambodia on Wednesday.

Angkor Sentinel 2013 is a major, bilateral exercise that continues a substantial, multi-year effort by U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) to actively engage Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and expand peacekeeping and stability operations, the statement said.

It added that over the course of the 14-day exercise, members of U.S. Army Pacific and Cambodian armed forces will focus on peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance operations, including a battalion staff training exercise, a counter-improvised explosive devices field training exercise, and battlefield medical activities to assist Cambodian troops deployed to United Nations peacekeeping missions.

"During the exercise, U.S. and Cambodian participants will benefit from intense team-building, staff training, and computer and communication systems instruction all of which are required to resolve complex security tasks," the statement said. " Furthermore, the participants will exchange experiences on small- unit best practices and troop evaluation designed to save lives and prevent disruption to military operations."

Angkor Sentinel is an annual, bilateral exercise sponsored by U. S. Army Pacific and hosted by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

Angkor Sentinel 2013 is the latest in a continuing series of rigorous, multi-faceted exercises designed to promote regional peace and security, and this exercise marks the fourth anniversary of a significant and highly productive regional training event.

U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Jeff Daigle will open the exercise on Thursday at the Training Center for Multinational Peacekeeping Forces located in Phnom Sroch district of Kampong Speu province, about 70 kilometers west of capital Phnom Penh. Endit

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