Third Army/U.S. Army Central (Third Army) Soldiers, along with more than 600 National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry, S.C., worked side-by-side with Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) in the Friendship Two exercise Feb. 19 through 28 in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
More than 4,100 U.S. and Saudi Arabian military servicemembers participated in the battalion-level exercise, which tested the maneuvers, tactics, techniques and procedures of both countries' military forces.
"Friendship Two has many facets to it, but most important, Third Army's multi-national training and exercises strengthen military-to-military relationships amongst partner nations," said Col. George Cone, Third Army director of training and exercises.
Much of the day-to-day focus of the training was on maneuver capability and interoperability, and the logistical coordination and support between the two nations.
The exercise also gave both countries an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn new operational tactics and improve military relationships.
During the exercise, Third Army Soldiers and RSLF soldiers built upon their capacity to help maintain peace and stability in the region, Cone said. "Third Army's Friendship Two exercise fosters relationships with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to help shape conditions for the future," he said. "It's a great opportunity to interact with our friends in the RSLF and continue a long lasting relationship."
The exercise is one in a series of partnership training opportunities Third Army has had with the RSLF since 2004.
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