The US Air Force earlier this month partnered with the Saudi air force and other coalition partners for the TUWAIQ-4 exercise, the latest sign of the continuous and long-lasting military partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The TUWAIQ-4 exercise began December 3 at Prince Sultan Air Base and ran for two weeks, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The drills featured personnel from nine countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Morocco, the United Kingdom, the United States and Greece.

Bahrain and Egypt took part as observers.

TUWAIQ-4 focused on tactical airlift, airdrop and air mobility to enhance collaboration and support between nations across the region.

The exercise featured tactical landings supported by combat air missions and search-and-rescue operations.

It involved lectures on tactical landing techniques, as well as planning phases, management, leadership and evaluation of tactical airdrop operations.

For its part, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing launched a C-130J Super Hercules in support of the exercise.

"We're grateful for strong regional partnerships that have recognized the value of tactical airlift and airdrop to support maneuver, defense, and deterrence," US Air Force Lt. Col. John Adam, 39th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Commander, said in a statement.

Longtime partners

Exercises like TUWAIQ-4 "provide the necessary touchpoints between nations to enhance air power and promote interoperability between global partners," the statement added.

They reaffirm the partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The two nations regularly take part in bilateral and multilateral military training exercises, including major drills such as Red Flag, Eagle Resolve and Red Sands, to enhance interoperability and advanced air defense capabilities.

The kingdom buys almost 80% of its arms from the United States, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Additionally, more than 2,000 US military personnel are deployed to Saudi Arabia to implement defense and security cooperation programs and to counter and deter Iranian threats, according to a Congressional Research Service report published in March.

The US State Department describes the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States as "more than seven decades of close friendship and cooperation," spanning counterterrorism, defense and the economy.

Ties continue to evolve, with the two nations committed to developing integrated air and missile defense systems and addressing emerging security challenges, including those posed by unmanned systems, according to the State Department.