Cambodia and US Agree to Resume Military Exercise After 10-Year Suspending

Chhay Sophal

Phnom Penh (27 Jan 2026): Cambodia and the United States are planning to restart their military exercise known as “Angkor Guard” early next year after suspending for a decade.

Speaking in a press briefing on Monday at Cambodia’s Ream Naval base in Sihanouk Ville after meeting with General Tea Seiha, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Rear Admiral Samuel Paparo confirmed the planning for Angkor Sentinel or Angkor Guard would resume in late February or early March next year.

The two sides have continued to conduct joint exercises every year for seven consecutive years, focusing on peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response with other countries, especially China.

Angkor Sentinel was suspended in 2017 until January 2026 even though every meeting between the top leaders and the military leaders of the two countries have discussed the exercise resumption.

Samuel arrived in Cambodia with the US Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) docked for its first-ever to Ream Naval Base started on January 24 until January 28.

USS Cincinnati vessel arrival is part of its mission to enhance cooperation between Cambodian and US armed forces.

Cambodia and the United States established their formal diplomatic relations on July 11, 1950, after the end of World War II. In 2010, as bilateral diplomatic relations reached their 60th anniversary, the United States joined Cambodia in holding the first “Angkor Guard” exercise in the history of the two nations.