An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 9, 2011

South Carolina Guard helps U.S., Saudi forces extend hands in exercise

By Courtesy Story

TABUK, Saudi Arabia - Third Army Soldiers – along with more than 600 soldiers from 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry, South Carolina Army National Guard – worked side-by-side with Royal Saudi Land Forces in the Friendship Two exercise.

More than 4,100 U.S. and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia military servicemembers participated in this event that tested both armed forces in maneuvers, tactics, techniques and procedures.

“Friendship Two has many facets to it; but most important, Third Army’s multinational training and exercises strengthen military to military relationships amongst partner nations,” said Army Col. George Cone, Third Army director of training and exercises.

Much of the day-to-day focus of the battalion level exercise was on maneuver capability and interoperability along with logistical coordination and support between the two nations.

The exercise also gave both countries an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn new operational tactics while improving military relationships.

In addition to being part of this historic exercise, Third Army and Royal Saudi Land Forces soldiers built upon their capacity to help maintain peace and stability in the region.

“Third Army’s Friendship Two exercise fosters relationships with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to help shape conditions for the future,” said Cone. “And, it’s a great opportunity to interact with our friends in the Royal Saudi Land Forces and continue a long lasting relationship.”

The exercise is one in a series of partnership training opportunities Third Army has had with the Royal Saudi Land Forces since 2004.

 

 

Related Articles
Lt. Col John Hutka in cycling practice at the Fort Cavazos SRU.
Texas National Guard Soldier is Ready for Army Trials
By MaryTherese Griffin, | April 4, 2025
FORT BLISS, Texas- Dozens of competitive Soldier athletes are ready for the 2025 Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas and will continue through April 9.  Sixty-seven wounded and injured Soldier athletes will compete in...

Col. Matthew Komatsu, director of Plans and Strategy for the Joint Staff, Alaska National Guard, discusses the role of Women, Peace, and Security during mission planning with Maj. Chelsea Aspelund, State Partnership Program director, Alaska National Guard, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 6, 2025. Exercise Vigilant Guard is a Full-Scale Exercise designed to ensure effective coordination between local, state, private sector, non-governmental organizations, and federal partners.
Alaska National Guard Exercises Disaster Response During Vigilant Guard
By Maj. David Bedard, | April 4, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska– Alaska National Guard, state defense forces, and Coast Guard District 17, in partnership with Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management officials, tested their...

U.S. Army soldiers, assigned to Task Force Associator, work with members from the Djiboutian Coast Guard to preform squad movement and battle drills during Bull Shark 25-1 at Garde-Côtes Djiboutienne GCD, Djibouti, Nov. 4, 2024.  Bull shark is designed to conduct training and knowledge exchanges with our foreign partners. by Staff Sgt. Ivan Mendez- Roman)
Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Mobilize to Horn of Africa
By Staff Sgt. Ivan Mendez-Roman, | April 3, 2025
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – Task Force Associator, headquartered by Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion 111th Infantry Regiment, transferred authority to Task Force Paxton, an adjacent battalion from Pennsylvania,...