Cambodia and US to Resume Joint Military Exercises in February

South Bend Elkhart, IN, September 4, 2026 —

Cambodia’s army has announced the forthcoming resumption of joint military exercises with the United States. The drills, officially named ‘Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2027,’ are scheduled to take place in February. These exercises mark a significant step in bilateral defense cooperation, having been suspended since 2017.

The primary objectives behind the revival of ‘Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2027’ are to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of both nations and to bolster their collective capabilities in responding to natural disasters. The resumption signifies a renewed focus on collaborative training and readiness.

Details regarding the specific duration, participating units, or the exact location within Cambodia for the 2027 exercises were not provided in the announcement. Similarly, the precise nature of the disaster-response scenarios or the interoperability components to be tested remains unspecified at this time.

The ‘Exercise Angkor Sentinel’ series has historically served as a platform for joint training, focusing on areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping operations. The suspension since 2017 had paused this regular engagement between the Cambodian and United States militaries. The announcement did not elaborate on the reasons for the previous suspension.

The recommencement of these exercises in February is anticipated to contribute to strengthening regional security dynamics and fostering a more coordinated approach to common challenges, particularly in humanitarian aid and disaster management. Further information is expected to be released closer to the exercise dates.

Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.