Operation Bright Star Begins

Sun., Nov. 12, 1995

Associated Press

U.S. Marines swept ashore in Egypt on Saturday, the black-clothed commandos setting up a forward defense so that a dozen amphibious troop carriers could hit the beach safely.

They encountered no resistance - just a grandstand full of generals and other commanders who stood and applauded their arrival.

The landing at this beach - about 55 miles west of Alexandria near the World War II battleground of El Alamein - opened a weeklong military training exercise that will involve more than 55,000 troops from five nations.

The Bright Star ‘95 war games also are bringing together 17 warships - including the aircraft carrier USS America and its battle group - and more than 800 transport planes, helicopters and jet fighters.

Organizers so far have been unable to estimate the cost of the maneuvers, but it is believed to exceed $100 million.

The maneuvers will be similar to Operation Desert Storm, in which a coalition of Western and Arab forces drove Iraq out of Kuwait.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Operation Bright Star Begins

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Trump adds Iraq to special envoy Tom Barrack’s role in Syria

ICE agents to leave site of volatile protests at New Jersey detention center

Americans hurt in Kuwait as Trump sends mixed signals on war