United States Conducts Coconut Grove 2012 Exercises with MNDF

October 5, 2012

From October 4-14, the United States Marine Corps and Maldivian National Defense Force will participate in Coconut Grove 2012, a bilateral, biannual exercise on Gan Island.  The recurring, ongoing exercise will increase mutual understanding and enhance professional and amicable relations between the two militaries.  The exercise will focus on general military skills and enhancing interoperability between the two forces, and will help advance common regional security interests between the U.S. and Maldives.   

The 10-day exercise will include several days of medical training and combat lifesaving techniques, as well as convoy operations and general military skills training.  The participating U.S. units primarily come from I Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, California, with support from the Maritime Sealift Command.