Bahrain’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Dheyab bin Saqr Al-Nuaimi, attended Thursday the closing ceremony of the naval drill, codenamed “Bridge 23”, carried out by the Bahrain Defence Force, represented by the Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF), and the Royal Saudi Naval Force, represented by the Eastern Fleet.

The Chief of Staff was briefed about the goals and stages of the joint naval drill, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.

The joint exercise aims to unify combat concepts and enhance the mechanisms of cooperation and integration between the naval forces in the two brotherly countries, through conducting the various stages of joint military operations, and the application of naval battle management procedures. It also aims to raise the efficiency of officers and servicemen in the command and control process, in addition to exchanging combat experiences during naval operations.

“Bridge 23” is one in a series of joint naval exercises conducted regularly by the two kingdoms’ navies. It is the largest among the joint maritime training activities carried out between the two countries, in terms of the level, size of the participating forces, or the technique of combat equipment.

“Bridge 23” also reflects the degree of professionalism of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and servicemen of the naval forces performing the various stages of the drill, which embodies the advanced level of cohesion and cooperation between the two countries, as well as their ongoing military coordination.

Royal Bahraini Navy Comdr. Rear Admiral Mohammed Al-Assam and the Military Attaché at the Saudi Embassy to Bahrain Brigadier General Fahad Al-Thunayan, as well as a number of senior officers taking part in the exercise, attended the launch ceremony of “Bridge 23” on Sunday 25 December.