Militaries Test Forces at Sea

LT. J.G. MELISSA MARTINELLI/U.S. COAST GUARD

The Iraqi Navy, Kuwaiti Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard conducted their first trilateral theater security exercise in more than seven years. The September 2012 exercise consisted primarily of search and rescue and defensive maneuvers. Ultimately the exercise displayed the interoperability of forces within the Arabian Gulf. This is important since the area is the primary shipping lane for vital resources into and out of the Gulf states.

“It was great working with Iraq and Kuwait members during the exercise. I look forward to future opportunities to build partnerships with them.”