U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), along with members of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, officially concluded exercise Red Reef 15 with a joint demonstration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dec. 16.
Over the nine-day span, 11th MEU personnel worked, trained and lived alongside Saudi Marines from the 1st, 3rd, 5th Saudi Marine Battalions and the Saudi Naval Special Forces.
Supporting the Marines of the landing force were U.S. Navy assets from Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5, including amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) and dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), both providing ship-to-shore connectors and landing platforms for aircraft in support of the training.
From joint mortar ranges and simulated assaults through urban environments, to medical training and casualty evacuations, U.S. and Saudi Marines honed their interoperability and demonstrated commitment to regional partnership.
With exercise Red Reef 15 over, Marines from the 11th MEU will return to their ships and continue to operate as a sea-based, quick reaction force in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
Red Reef 15 is a biennial, bilateral exercise between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, set to increase proficiency, expand levels of military-to-military cooperation and promote long-term regional stability, interoperability and freedom of navigation.
[mappress mapid=”14751″]
Press release, Image: US Navy