The U.S. and Saudi Arabia Conduct Joint Naval Exercises on Saudi Islands

The U.S. and Saudi forces are conducting routine and joint sustainment training on and around Karan and Kurayn island of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Navy announced. The exercise started on 24th May and planned to last until 30th May.

The second phase of the training follows the successful completion of the training on April 20-22, and provides the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) an opportunity to continue mission-essential training and planning with our Saudi partners.

In close coordination with our Saudi partners, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Task Force (TF) 52 and TF 56, the BATARG and 26th MEU are conducting well deck operations, underwater beach surveys, maritime patrolling, boat lane security operations, and will establish a forward arming and refueling point for aviation assets to refuel in an austere environment – which increases the aviation combat radius and enables them to conduct follow-on operations.

ARG/MEUs operate continuously across the globe and provide the geographic combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, flexible and responsive sea-based Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The blue-green team is fully capable of conducting operations across a full spectrum of conventional, unconventional and hybrid warfare.