Joint Gulf Shield 1 Drills launched today the 2nd phase carrying out field exercises after the conclusion of the first three day phase last Thursday with the participation of troops from all military sectors. The official spokesman of the Drills Brigadier Abdullah bin Hussein Al-Subaie pointed out that field maneuvers last five consecutive days as a second stage of the exercises with live ammunition with the participation of land, air, sea, air defense, and special forces, noting that the drills aim to raise the competencies of participating forces to confront challenges and threats within a joint operation environment to achieve the concept of the joint action whereas participants in the exercises include military forces of high levels of training and professionalism, using many modern and sophisticated weapons. It is noteworthy that as many as 23 countries are participating in the exercises being organized by the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.