U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet (center left), U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Cambodia Aleks Zittle (right), and Royal Cambodian Navy Rear Adm. Mey Dina, commander of the Ream Naval Base (center right), pose for a photo with their staff during Koehler’s visit to the base in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Aug. 7, 2026.
Cambodia’s army has confirmed that it will resume joint military exercises with the United States early next year after a decade-long suspension, the latest sign of the improving ties between the two nations.
The Royal Cambodian Army announced on Facebook on Friday that officials from the two nations had concluded an Initial Planning Conference for Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2027, which it said would be held in February of next year.
The exercise has the aim of “strengthening interoperability and disaster-response capabilities, reflecting renewed momentum in Cambodia–U.S. military cooperation and a shared commitment to strengthening defense cooperation.”
The announcement follows several high-level meetings between U.S. and Cambodian officials. These include a meeting last month between Prime Minister Hun Manet and Elbridge A. Colby, undersecretary for policy at the U.S. Department of War, during which the two discussed expanded defense cooperation.
