The United States and United Arab Emirates (UAE) rounded out another successful year of combined exercises with Desert Talon 24.

The combined exercise took place in December, showcasing the unique capabilities of US Army aviation.

The service's world-class aviators and advanced aircraft took to the skies to demonstrate specialized aerial assault capabilities, particularly those of the UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook and the AH-64D/E Apache Helicopter.

The UH-60 Black Hawk is the Army's workhorse rotor-wing aircraft that specializes in both medium-lift transport and aerial assault. It can transport up to 14 fully equipped soldiers or 20 lightly equipped combat personnel.

The helicopter's blades are resistant to fire from artillery at calibers up to 23mm and have state-of-the-art sensors to detect damage.

With its iconic tandem-rotor silhouette, the CH-47 has been in service since the early 1960s. It is the Army's primary heavy-lift troop supply and transport aircraft, capable of transporting 33 troops in addition to its three crew members.

The latest model boasts an impressive sling-load capacity of 11,800kg, meaning it can transport an M198 howitzer at speeds of up to 260km/hour.

Meanwhile, the AH-64D/E Apache, the Army's attack helicopter, is equipped with an M230 30mm cannon, Hydra 70 70mm-diameter rockets and Hellfire missiles.

Ensuring regional security

The US Army is the world's leader in air assault capabilities, with the 101st Airborne Division -- nicknamed the Screaming Eagles -- serving as its premier light infantry unit specializing in air assault operations.

The Army's only air assault division, it has met the call to execute combat and contingency operations across the world in all manner of conditions.

By adopting a similar approach and equipping itself with the UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook and the AH-64 D/E Apache Helicopter, UAE military forces could enhance its ability to control strategic terrain.

This capability would be particularly crucial in securing the Strait of Hormuz, which runs along the UAE's northeastern shoreline and is one of the world's critical chokepoints.

Desert Talon not only highlighted air assault capabilities but also military readiness and interoperability between partner forces.

Last year, US and UAE forces collaborated during exercises including Native Fury 24 and Iron Defender 24.

As part of the drills, partner forces from across the US Central Command area of operations drilled critical functions, including combined logistics operations, maritime defense, unmanned aerial system integration and search and seizure, among others.

The US military's continued dedication to joint exercises highlights its efforts to elevate interoperability with partner forces, boosting collective capabilities and ensuring a peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East.