Maldives and US Resume Joint Military Exercise “Black Marlin”

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the United States Montana National Guard have commenced the fourth iteration of their joint military exercise, known as “Black Marlin”.

Scheduled to continue until 28th May, the exercise will take place in Laamu Kahdhoo and Male, according to a statement released on the MNDF’s website.

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The opening ceremony for the exercise took place at the Bandaarakoshi military base in Malé on Sunday, drawing the participation of several dignitaries including Chief of Defence Forces Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, US Ambassador to the Maldives Hugo Yon, and Director and Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard Major General J. Peter Hronek.

Under the banner of “Black Marlin”, the exercise will feature five Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) programmes encompassing a spectrum of areas such as intelligence, logistics, medical services, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and infantry training. The infantry-related SMEEs will unfold on Kadhdhoo Island, Laamu Atoll, whilst the remaining programmes are set to occur in Malé.

Furthermore, the exercises will incorporate a Field Grade Exchange Programme, designed to identify and enhance areas pertinent to staff officer responsibilities, military planning processes, and training management.

Major General Hronek convened with Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon on Sunday, with discussions centred on fortifying the relationship between the MNDF and the Montana National Guard, and bolstering defence and military ties between the two nations.