US Holds Military Exercise with Allies in Qatar

The joint operation comes as the October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to be strained.

Over 1,300 military personnel from the United States, Qatar, Italy, United Kingdom, Turkey, and France participated in Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6, from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20. U.S. Air Force

The United States joined allied nations to conduct a live-fire military exercise in Qatar last week, the U.S. Air Force announced on Monday.

Over 1,300 military personnel from the United States, Qatar, Italy, United Kingdom, Turkey, and France participated in Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6, a biennial training event, from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20.

The exercise showcased the ability of the countries to operate as a unified, lethal force against regional threats, according to U.S. Navy Commander Joseph Hontz.

“Our commanders and battle staff received valuable training on the critical aspects of planning and management and using integrated command and control systems for effective unified operations, in order to enhance our collective combat readiness while building crucial partnerships across air, land, and sea domains throughout the Middle East.”

The joint exercise was held at a time when the U.S.-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which went into effect Oct. 10, remains strained after ongoing violence. Both sides allege the terms of the ceasefire have been breached multiple times.

Israel announced on Sunday that its forces had killed one of Hezbollah’s top military leaders in the capital of Lebanon. On Monday, Israeli forced killed three Palestinians near the demarcation zone in Gaza, claiming the people posed an “immediate threat.”

Palestinian medics reported an Israeli drone fired a missile at the group of people, killing two, and a tank shell killed a third person on the eastern side of Gaza City.

Last week, the U.N. Security Council formally backed President Donald Trump’s peace plan, which calls for an interim technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza, overseen by an international peace board, and backed by an international security force. Trump’s plan also calls for a reform of the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank.

U.S. air and naval assets participated in the exercise. This included a bomber task force to demonstrate global power, along with surface, air, and expeditionary forces, who participated in multiple field exercises and maritime drills, according to the U.S. military.

The U.S. Air Force used F-16 Fighting Falcons, KC-135 Stratotankers, and a B-52 Stratofortress bombers. Naval forces used the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Tulsa, the fast-response cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr., and one P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

The exercise used cutting-edge technology and methodologies to address today’s challenges. The exercise provided the allies with a change to share information across warfare domains, officials said.

“This exercise is as much about building relationships as it is about tactics and operations,” U.S. Air Force Maj. Katrina Cheesman said in a statement.

Over 1,300 military personnel from the United States, Qatar, Italy, United Kingdom, Turkey, and France participated in Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6, a biennial training event, from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20. U.S. Air Force

“By exercising our shared defense capabilities, the United States and its regional partners seek to sustain trust, stabilize the Middle East, and reinforce the principles of peace and cooperation fundamental to rules-based international order,” Cheesman added.

The event also solidified the U.S. partnership with Qatar and its allies and focused on warfighting readiness and maritime security in the region, officials stated.