The ground forces of the United Arab Emirate and the United States are holding a joint military exercise in Abu Dhabi starting today, as part of their efforts to consolidate their bilateral relations and exchange their training and military expertise, to raise the combat efficiency and readiness of both armies. <br/><br/>Codenamed, ''Iron Union 5,'' the joint military exercise is an extension of a series of ''Iran Claw'' exercises, which fall under the plans and programmes of the UAE ground forces to conduct such exercises with friendly countries, to exchange and develop their skills and enhance the combat readiness of their personnel, according to the latest advanced military systems. The exercise will also help both armies to promote their international co-operation in joint military operations, to address current global challenges and crises.