USS Port Royal, USS John Paul Jones participate in Joint Air Defense Exercise

Feb. 25 (UPI) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal and guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones participated in this year's Joint Air Defense Exercise alongside forces from U.S. Army Central Command and U.S. Air Forces Central earlier this month, the Navy announced.

JADEX, which this year took place in the Gulf of Oman between Feb. 17 and 19, is a bi-annual three day-long training event focused on increasing air defense readiness, according to the Navy.

This year's exercise included surface, space, cyber and missile defense systems in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The joint team practiced real-world tactics in simulated scenarios, including techniques and procedures to defend against ballistic missiles and small unmanned aerial systems.

"This exercise was critical to the assessment of our joint capabilities in achieving air and missile defense superiority," said Capt. Micheal Wagner, commanding officer of Port Royal.

"It served as an opportunity for our Sailors to work alongside their Army and Air Force counterparts, building experience and creating valuable relationships across our armed forces," Wagner said.