Press release for Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.3

UAE – More than 100 Marines and Sailors, along with partner units from the UAE Armed Forces, are participating in exercise Intrepid Maven 23.3, scheduled to take place this month at various locations across the United Arab Emirates.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to command 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 of Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Task Force 51/5). “We are stronger and more capable when we work together to improve security conditions in this region, and I think this exercise will do just that,” he said. “This re-launch of Intrepid Maven offers us an excellent opportunity to strengthen our military relationship with the United Arab Emirates and improve the training and readiness of our own armed forces.”

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

A subordinate element of US 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 headquarters stationed in Bahrain that may be supported by a Joint Task Force. It is headed by a Marine Corps Brigadier General and staffed by Marine Corps and Navy professionals. Task Force 51/5 conducts periodic theater security cooperation exercises with partner countries on behalf of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in alignment with the 2022 National Defense Strategy.

Exercise Intrepid Maven is a series of exercises designed and conducted by US Marine Corps Forces Central Command that was designed and conducted in late 2021. The first iteration took place in March 2022 in Jordan. The series, which includes IM 23.3, is intended to strengthen partnerships and provide training opportunities, contribute to interoperability and improve conditions for regional security.

Intrepid Maven is episodic in nature, taking place in each iteration with one or more partner nations. This is a deployment-specific training series designed to demonstrate partnership perseverance. to prepare for the requirements of a volatile and liquid AOR; Conduct unit-level training in new and challenging areas, spaces and facilities; and to demonstrate operational capability to project forces to meet emerging demands, all with the aim of achieving and maintaining unit readiness, deterring malicious intent by the adversary, and demonstrating global responsiveness for crisis response and contingency.

Intrepid Maven 23.3 is the seventh iteration of Exercise Intrepid Maven and includes training in expeditionary airfield operations, close air support, and the use and maneuvering of small arms on an infantry basis.