Joint US-Saudi military exercises kick off in California desert region

By Hussien Elkabany and Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) – The US and Saudi Arabia launched a joint military drill at Fort Irwin military base in California, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

The ministry said in a statement late Wednesday that the Quincy-1 joint exercises aim to “enhance operational readiness, exchange expertise, and strengthen integration in conducting joint operations across various combat environments.”

The ministry did not specify the duration of the drill or the number of participating personnel.

Fort Irwin National Training Center is a major training area for the US military, spanning about 3,108 square kilometers (1,200 square miles) in California’s Mojave Desert.