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GV United States transport plane landing at Cairo military airfield.
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SV Troops disembark from plane. (2 SHOTS)
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SV Troops in desert discussing exercise. (2 SHOTS)
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SVs American and Egyptian troops discuss exercises. (2 SHOTS)
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GV American transport plane opening hatch.
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SV Soldier signals as vehicles leave plane an drive onto tarmac. (2 SHOTS)
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GV Hatch on plane closed.
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SV Passes of soldiers checked. (2 SHOTS)
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GV Plane taxis onto runway. (2 SHOTS)
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GV Plane takes off.
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SCU President Mubarak speaking in English.
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SPEECH (TRANSCRIPT)



MUBARAK: "The Rapid Deployment Force is so important just to support any of the Moslem, or friendly country with the United States to help them against any kind of aggression."





Initials JS





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: American troops and equipment of the so-called Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) started arriving in Cairo on Monday (9 November) to begin desert exercises with Egyptian army. Code named 'Operation Brightstar 82', the joint manoeuvres are designed to show Washington's commitment to helping pro-western Middle East states resist external threats. American forces will also participate in further exercises in Sudan, Somalia and the gulf state of Oman.

SYNOPSIS: Giant C-5A and C-141 transport planes of the United States Airforce landed the first members of the RDF at Cairo West airbase. Over 1,000 troops of the American 82nd Airborne Division disembarked in readiness for the exercises with soldiers of the Egyptian army.

About 4,000 Egyptian troops will take part, and the joint manoeuvres are expected to last well into next month. The highlight of the operation will be live bombing runs over the western desert by B-52 bombers. The huge planes will fly non-stop from the United States and back, refuelling in mid-air.

Tanks, military vehicles and other equipment have been flown in, as well as brought by sea to the Mediterranean port of Alexandria. American airborne reconnaissance craft, four of which have just been sold to Saudi Arabia, will also participate in the exercises.

Operation Brightstar is the first completely co-ordinated exercise involving army, naval, airforce and marine troops of the Rapid Deployment Force. The force was set up in 1980 following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the hostage rescue debacle in Iran. Its presence in Egypt was warmly welcomed by Egypt was warmly welcomed by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.