Saudi-U.S. Joint Drills: Native Fury 22

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: US Marines joined Saudi Arabia’s forces in Yanbu to participate in a joint drill, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Titled ‘Native Fury 22,’ the drill maneuvers will reportedly take place in Yanbu and Al-Kharj Governates.

“The exercise aims at enhancing partnership between the Saudi forces and their US counterpart in carrying out bilateral plans,” SPA reported.

This marks the eighth iteration of the exercise, Marine Corps Forces Central Command said on Twitter.

“The exercise will focus on combined tactics, interoperability, logistical operations with Saudi Armed Forces,” the statement added.

This marked the third time Saudi Arabia leads CTF 150, according to a CENTCOM statement.

The CTF 150 task force, one of four as part of the Combined Maritime Forces, was established in 2002 to conduct maritime security operations in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea.

It helps ensure the free flow of commerce, in addition to combating terrorism and the activities linked to it, including human trafficking, drugs and weapons trafficking