DUSHANBE, August 1, 2013, Asia-Plus – A platoon of the Peacekeeping Battalion of the Mobile Troops of the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan, numbering 30 servicemen, is participating in the Khaan Quest 2013 (KQ 13) multinational peacekeeping exercise in Mongolia that kicked off on August 1 and will last until August 6, the first deputy commander of the Mobile Troops, Colonel Tohir Khairulloyev, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

Meanwhile some international media sources report that the KQ 13 international military exercise for peacekeeping operations will take place from August 3-14.

Khaan Quest is a regularly scheduled, multinational exercise co-sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces.  The purpose of Khaan Quest is to gain United Nations training recognition and certification of participants through conducting realistic peace support operations.

According to press release issued by U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar on July 24, the KQ 13 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security.  This year’s exercise reportedly marks the 11th anniversary of this training event.

The exercise consists of a command post exercise (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX) at Five Hills Training Area, both of which will focus on peacekeeping and stability operations.  During these portions of the exercise, multinational forces will work to enhance regional interoperability and mission effectiveness, as well as develop common tactics, techniques and procedures.

Military personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, South Korea, Tajikistan, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam are expected to participate in KQ 13.

Colonel Khairulloyev also told Asia-Plus on August 1 that the Steppe Eagle 2013 international military exercise will take place in Kazakhstan from August 6-20 and “part of Tajik Peacekeeping Battalion will participate in that exercise.”  

The Peacekeeping Battalion of the Mobile Troops of the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan was formed in 2010.