The latest iteration of the Intrepid Maven exercise marks longstanding military ties between the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The US Marine Corps and the UAE's elite Presidential Guard held Intrepid Maven 25.2 in February in the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.

US and UAE forces took part in platoon and squad level training covering a range of military operations, from medical and communications training to fire support and live fire drills, according to a US Marine Corps video.

The exercise culminated in a bilateral air assault exercise in urban terrain.

The drills strengthened military partnerships, reinforced regional stability and improved both individual and combined unit readiness, while reflecting a shared commitment to supporting CENTCOM objectives, the Corps said.

The United States and the UAE have a long-standing partnership that covers various facets of defense and security, including weapon sales, military aid and annual training for UAE military personnel.

The roots of collaboration with the United States go back to the UAE's early years as a nation.

The United States was one of the first countries to establish formal diplomatic ties with the UAE -- in 1972, a year after its establishment as a country -- and the relationship between the two nations has continued to expand.

The United States and the UAE conduct regular training operations to enhance combat readiness and interoperability between their forces. These include air, land and naval drills aimed at improving coordination in real-world scenarios.

Intrepid Maven

US Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) first conceptualized and implemented the Intrepid Maven exercise in late 2021.

The first iteration was held in Jordan in 2022.

The exercise series is designed to conduct unit-level training in new and challenging areas while also demonstrating persistence in partnering, among other objectives.

Intrepid Maven is held multiple times a year, with the location alternating between partner nations in the region.

Occasionally, the exercise is held with a "multinational collection of interested and committed participants mutually supporting and benefiting from exercise objectives," according to the Corps.

Each iteration of Intrepid Maven brings together a diverse range of partner nations tailored to meet specific deployment needs, with an emphasis on the importance of sustained partnerships and tactical interoperability.

Intrepid Maven 25.1, held in Jordan from October to November 2024, saw about 250 Marines and Sailors join forces with infantry and artillery units of the Jordanian Armed Forces.