Representatives from 14 countries in U.S. Army Central's (USARCENT) area of activities came together for the Concept Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, October 27-31, 2008. This conference acts as a setting for delegates to plan the 2009 Land Forces Symposium to be held in Kenya. This symposium, co-hosted by General George W. Casey, Jr., U.S. Army Chief of Staff, and Lieutenant General James Lovelace, USARCENT commanding general, brings multinational senior land forces commanders together to discuss security-related topics.

After four days of meetings and deliberating, the delegates reviewed the tentative plan for the 2009 Land Forces Symposium, the theme of which is "Land Forces' Challenges in a Full Spectrum Environment."

"They are looking for issues that are most important so commanders can discuss them and make improvements in cooperation to enhance security," said Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Richter, USARCENT Civil and Military Affairs Arabian Peninsula planner.

Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Irick, USARCENT chief of strategic initiatives, used an analogy to describe the importance of venues such as the Land Forces Symposium and Concept Development Conference in Full Spectrum Operations.

"Instead of having many hammers trying to hit one nail, it is better to work together," Irick said. "Coalitions working together act as one sledgehammer nailing together in an effort to achieve a common operating picture."

Working together will enable countries to deal with issues such as counterterrorism, crime and violent extremist organizations, he added.

"The current trends in the world impact certain regions of the world," said Colonel Rizat Yergaliyevich Kolpashev of Kazakhstan. "In order to solve challenges we commonly face, it is necessary to cooperate."

Brigadier General Michael Machuria of Kenya agreed, noting issues that affect not only his country but many.

"In a group like this, you develop common ways of looking at an issue, it is like looking through the same lens," Machuria said. "Problems are not special to one country, they cut across the region. Border security is a good example of this. This affects Kenya but also other countries like Kuwait and Iraq."

Before the Concept Development Conference was over, the fast paced planning for the symposium had begun with plans to secure speakers and organize logistics.

In anticipation of the upcoming Land Forces Symposium in Kenya, Machuria expressed enthusiasm.

"It is a good thing because we are marketing our country," said Machuria. "We have good relations with the American Army. We train our Army here and we have good projects that the Americans are doing in Kenya."