Two Soviet-made Egyptian Mi-8 Hip helicopters lift off after dropping of Egyptian Army Soldiers, at Mubarak Military City, as US, Spanish and Egyptian armed forces conduct amphibious assault operations during Exercise BRIGHT STAR 01/02. BRIGHT STAR 01/02 is a multinational exercise involving more than 74,000 troops from 44 countries that enhances regional stability and military-to-military cooperation among our key allies, and our regional partners. It prepares US Central Command to rapidly deploy and employ the forces needed to deter aggressors and, if necessary, fight and win side-by-side with our allies and regional partners.