Adjutant General of the Texas National Guard Major General Tracy Norris met with the commanders of the Egyptian Air Force, the Border Guard Corps, and the head of the Egyptian Armed Forces’ training authority on Sunday, a statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces said.

During her separate meetings with the senior army officials, Norris, who is on an official trip to Egypt for the next several days, discussed issues of joint interest, ways to support military cooperation, and the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Norris also emphasised in her meetings her country’s interest in furthering cooperation and coordination between the Egyptian and US armed forces to serve the mutual interests of both countries.

The major general also visited the Texas National Guard personnel participating in the ‘Bright Star 2021’ exercise at Mohamed Naguib Military Base in Marsa Matrouh, which kicked off on 2 September and will remain in session till 16 September.

Norris also praised the high standard of training reflected in the Bright Star exercise and how it contributed to the exchange of expertise between the 21 countries participating in it.

The Bright Star training exercise is held in Egypt on a regular basis. The first session was held in 1980, a year after the signing of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

The last time the military exercise was held was in 2018.