The following press release was sent to the Bloomingtonian by the United States Marine Corps:
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Garrett Warner, an assault amphibious vehicle crewman with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, announces the course of fire for a pistol qualification range during Intrepid Maven 23.2, in Israel, Feb. 23, 2023. Intrepid Maven is a bilateral exercise between USMARCENT and the IDF designed to improve interoperability, strengthen partner-nation relationships in the U.S. Central Command area of operations and improve both individual and bilateral unit readiness.
About Intrepid Maven:
Approximately 200 Marines and Sailors, alongside partnering infantry and artillery elements of the Israeli Defense Force, are participating in Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.2, set to occur at various locations within Israel from 19 February to 1 March, 2023.
Exercise Intrepid Maven is a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command conceptualized and implemented exercise series designed in late 2021, with the first iteration having occurred in Jordan in March 2022. The series, to include IM 23.2, is designed to strengthen partnerships, produce training opportunities, contribute to interoperability and improve conditions for regional security.
“This is a great opportunity for our Marines and Sailors to work alongside our Israeli Defense Force counterparts,” said Major General Paul J. Rock Jr., commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command. “The recent shift of Israel from being a partner in the European Command Area of Responsibility to that of Central Command presents a historic opportunity in the ongoing mission to ensure regional peace and stability,” he said. “The very purpose of our Intrepid Maven exercise series is to enhance collaboration and cooperation with partners. Our actions support the National Defense Strategy priority of developing key partnerships, and reflect both our enduring commitment to Israel as a new MARCENT partner and our mutual desire for regional stability. At the troop level, it’s just a great opportunity for enhanced training, cultural exposure and, ultimately, improved unit readiness.”
Intrepid Maven 23.2 marks the first formal training between U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, the Marine component of U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), and Israeli Defense Force forces since USCENTCOM assumed combatant command responsibility of Israel from EUCOM in September of 2021.
Staff Sgt. Warner’s picture can be found at the DVIDS link below. More images and videos of Intrepid Maven 23.2 can be found on DVIDS or on our Twitter page.
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7645231/2nd-aabn-conducts-range-during-intrepid-maven-232
DVIDS – Search – Intrepid Maven (dvidshub.net)
Marine Corps Forces Central Command (@USMARCENT) / Twitter
