WILLEMSTAD – Navy from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom have taken part in a joint military exercise with U.S. forces in the United States, focusing on urban and amphibious operations.
The training took place at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and brought together units from Marine Squadron Caribbean Aruba, the Marine detachment Sint Maarten, and boat platoons from Aruba and Curaçao.
They trained alongside the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion as part of the exercise “Caribbean Urban Warrior.”
The exercise focused on operations in urban environments and amphibious scenarios, with troops working in small, specialized teams under a new operational concept emphasizing speed, flexibility, and precision.
A notable feature of the training was the extensive use of drone technology. For the first time, participants trained with first-person-view (FPV) drones, which are increasingly being used in modern combat situations against individual targets and groups.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the exercise reflects evolving trends in warfare, where advanced technology plays an increasingly important role.
The joint training was aimed at strengthening international military cooperation and improving readiness for complex operations in diverse environments.