Intrepid Maven 23.3 begins in the United Arab Emirates

By Capt. Joseph Leitner

More than 100 Marines and Sailors, alongside partnering elements of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, are participating in Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.3, set to occur at various locations within the United Arab Emirates this month.

“We are very excited for the opportunity to lead Intrepid Maven 23.3 on behalf of U.S. Marine Forces Central Command and to train with our Emirati military partners in their country,” said Brigadier General Matthew S. Reid, commander, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Task Force 51/5). “We’re stronger and more capable when we work together to improve conditions for security in this region, and I think this exercise will achieve exactly that” he said. “This iteration of Intrepid Maven affords us an excellent chance to strengthen our military relationship with the United Arab Emirates as well as to improve training and readiness within our own forces.”

Intrepid Maven 23.3 marks the second time CENTCOM has conducted an Intrepid Maven exercise with our partners in the UAE.

As a subordinate element of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, Task Force 51/5 will provide overall exercise control for Intrepid Maven 23.3. Task Force 51/5 is a Joint Task Force-capable headquarters forward stationed in Bahrain that is led by a Marine Corps Brigadier General and staffed by Marine Corps and Navy professionals. Task Force 51/5 regularly conducts Theater Security Cooperation exercises with partner nations on behalf of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), in line with the 2022 National Defense Strategy.

Exercise Intrepid Maven is a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command-conceptualized and implemented exercise series designed in late 2021, with the first iteration having occurred in Jordan in March 2022. The series, to include IM 23.3, is designed to strengthen partnerships, produce training opportunities, contribute to interoperability, and improve conditions for regional security. Episodic in nature, Intrepid Maven, which occurs with anywhere from one to any of a number of partner nations during each iteration, is a force deploymenttailored training series designed to demonstrate persistence in partnering; to prepare for the demands of a volatile and fluid AOR; to conduct unit-level training in new and challenging areas, spaces and facilities; and to demonstrate service ability to project forces to meet emergent requirements, all with the objective of gaining and maintaining unit readiness, deterring malicious adversary intent and demonstrating global responsiveness for crisisresponse and contingencies.

Intrepid Maven 23.3 is the seventh iteration of Exercise Intrepid Maven and will include training in expeditionary airfield operations, close-air support, and infantry-based small-arms employment and maneuver.

By NAVCENT Public Affairs

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, spoke with Joint Commander of the French Forces Deployed in the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN)

Vice Adm. Emmanuel Slaars during a video call, May 13.

The leaders discussed opportunities for NAVCENT and ALINDIEN joint forces to enhance regional cooperation together, as NAVCENT works with allies and partners to bolster maritime security collaboration.

In coordination with French assets operating in the area, the United States is increasing the rotation of ships and aircraft patrolling in and around the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s recent unlawful merchant vessel seizures.

NAVCENT’s area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al Mandeb.