[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="89179,89184,89180,89181,89182,89183,89185"] RIYADH – The Saudi Royal Naval Forces started on Tuesday maneuvers called Gulf Shield 1 Exercise in the Arabian Gulf waters. Warships, air navy aircraft, Marine Corps, speed boats and special security naval units are participating in maneuvers taking place in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil route, and the Sea of Oman, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Navy Brig. Gen. Majed Al-Qahtani, commander of Gulf Shield 1 Exercise, said that this is the biggest maneuvers being conducted by the Eastern Fleet of the Saudi Royal Naval Forces. "The exercises include shooting of live ammunition as part of the efforts to improve combat readiness and protect the Kingdom's waters and marine interests against any possible aggression." In a related development, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has approved awarding Medals of King Fahd and King Faisal of third class to 260 officers of the Armed Forces for their high competence in the fields of their works and effective contributions to the military operations of "Decisive Storm and Restoration of Hope" to restore legitimacy in Yemen, and as a token of encouragement and appreciation.
