A friendly volleyball competition is exciting, but add Kuwaiti partners and you have an event!

On the first day of October, the 926th Engineer Brigade competed against and alongside members of 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Air Force, Kuwaiti Nationals, and other U.S. Armed Forces in the Kuwait Woman’s Peace and Security Volleyball Tournament in Kuwait City.

Leadership of the Kuwait Sports Club and members from Camp Arifjan, Camp Beuhring and Ali al Salem played in an all-female coalition volleyball tournament for Women’s Rights and to celebrate International Day of Peace (Sept. 22nd).

Partnership between nations is a high priority to the 926th Engineer Brigade, as well as the Army Reserve. Kuwaiti female athletes and U.S. servicemembers played on mixed teams for the tournament and capped off the day with a closely contested United States vs. Kuwait match.

Spc. Aliyah Gaitor, a communications specialist with the brigade, said “it was an opportunity for two cultures to come together and be intertwined with one another. It showed that even though we may be of different cultures, we are all the same.”

One of the benefits the 926th Engineer Brigade has on this deployment to the Central Command (CENTCOM) region is being able to enjoy rare opportunities and help our Soldiers experience different parts of the world.

Spc. Alexis Pernell, a communications specialist with the brigade, enjoyed playing in the volleyball matches.

“It was awesome to get to know all of the other players and get a small glimpse of different cultures,” said Pernell. “I loved being able to get this opportunity while deployed and hope to get a chance like this again.”

This successful event is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen partnerships within CENTCOM, reinforcing empowerment and understanding across forces. 926th Engineer Brigade Soldiers look forward to future high-spirited events!