U.S., UK Navies Respond to Merchant Vessel Distress Call in Strait of Hormuz
STRAIT OF HORMUZ (June 4, 2023) A screenshot of surveillance footage from a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft showing three Iranian fast-attack craft approaching an internationally flagged merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, June 4, 2023.
June 4, 2023 - United States and United Kingdom Royal Navy forces responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, June 4, as Iranian fast-attack boats harassed the commercial ship...

French Warship Seizes $108 Million in Drugs during Indian Ocean Seizures
INDIAN OCEAN (April 24, 2023) Personnel from a French warship operating in support of Combined Task Force 150 board a fishing vessel during a drug seizure in the Indian Ocean, April 24, 2023.
May 24, 2023 - A French warship operating in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 conducted four illegal drug seizures between April 19 and May 18 worth a total estimated U.S. street value of $108 million from fishing vessels transiting...

U.S.-Led Multinational Partnership Launches New Task Force for Maritime Security Training in Middle East
230522-A-HF807-2001 MANAMA, Bahrain (May 22, 2023) Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritimes, speaks during a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain for the establishment of the multinational naval partnership’s fifth task force, May 22, 2023.
May 22, 2023 - The U.S.-led multinational partnership, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), established a new task force May 22 that will train partner navies and improve operational capabilities to enhance maritime security in the Middle East...

Ships Supporting Two Multinational Anti-Piracy Task Forces Train Together in Gulf of Aden
230517-O-NO146-516 GULF OF ADEN (May 17, 2023) Republic of Korea Navy ship ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH 975) sails ahead of Italian Navy frigate ITS Luigi Rizzo (F 595) in the Gulf of Aden during combined training between Combined Maritime Forces and European Union Naval Forces, May 17, 2023. (Courtesy photo)
May 21, 2023 - Ships from the South Korean and Italian navies sailed together and conducted combined training in the Gulf of Aden, May 17, while operating under two multinational maritime partnerships, Combined Maritime Forces and European...

Fifth Fleet Admiral Transits Strait of Hormuz on Warship with UK, French Commanders
230519-N-NH257-1069 STRAIT OF HORMUZ (May 19, 2023) From left to right, United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander Commodore Philip Dennis, Joint Commander of the French Forces Deployed in the Indian Ocean Vice Adm. Emmanuel Slaars, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, and Cmdr. Jake Ferrari, commanding officer of guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), discuss maritime operations aboard Paul Hamilton while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, May 19, 2023. Paul Hamilton is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.
May 19, 2023 - The U.S. 5th Fleet commander transited the Strait of Hormuz aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) with naval counterparts from France and the United Kingdom, May 19...
Video by NAVCENT Public Affairs
Second Merchant Vessel Seized within a Week by Iran
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet
May 3, 2023 | 0:59
230503-N-NO146-2001 STRAIT OF HORMUZ (May 3, 2023) Approximately a dozen Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast-attack craft swarm Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi, May 3, 2023, in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the merchant vessel to reverse course into Iranian territorial waters during an unlawful seizure. (U.S. Navy video)
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U.S. Naval Forces Central Command is responsible for approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s mission is to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and strengthen partner nations' maritime capabilities in order to promote security and stability in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.