Forces from the United States and Saudi Arabia are conducting “routine and joint sustainment training” on and around Karan and Kurayn islands, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this week, according to a statement from the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
The exercises began Sunday May 24 and are slated to last through Saturday May 30. The training follows the successful completion of a similar, but shorter training exercise that ran from April 20-22. The exercise “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,” the Pentagon said.
The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s mission is to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and strengthen partner nations’ maritime capabilities in order to promote security and stability in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
“We appreciate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia allowing the BATARG and 26th MEU another training opportunity on these islands,” said Col. Trevor Hall, commanding officer of the 26th MEU, according to a statement. “Being able to train on these islands allows our team to expand upon our previous training by adding capabilities and assets from our partners in the region. The ability to plan and operate with other forces supports our ability to rapidly deploy aviation, maritime, and ground combat elements – all from over the horizon – at a moment’s notice in order to support maritime security, freedom of navigation, and the free flow of commerce.”
The operation is being conducted “in close coordination with our Saudi partners” and include 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,” a statement from the Pentagon said.
“These islands in the Arabian Gulf provide our Navy-Marine Corps team an ideal setting to prepare for a wide range of operations, while exercising seamless integration with our highly qualified partners,” said Capt. Lance Lesher, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 8. “This return training on Karan and Kurayn islands allows us to exercise our full mission readiness as a premier crisis-response option for our nation, as we also work alongside our Saudi partners for security and stability in the region.”
