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Who We Are

Ready, Resilient, Reliable

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) consists of the U.S. 5th Fleet serving to maintain the stability and security of the region’s maritime environment.  This combined force is comprised of US and multinational Sailors, Marines, Coastguardsmen and civilians committed to promoting prosperity through the freedom of the seas.  As naval warriors, we are Nations’ most forward ambassadors representing our enduring commitment to the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.  We stand ready to fight and win across the maritime domain, with the foundation of our readiness marked by highly trained, qualified, and experienced forces.  We are resilient professionals who honor service and commitment and hold ourselves accountable to each other while maintaining the highest standards of excellence ashore and at sea.  We build strong and reliable partnerships with friends and allies that create trust and unity of effort forging a strong coalition of maritime Nations.

 

Vision and Mission

Cooperative Security, Cooperative Prosperity

We envision a secure and prosperous maritime environment where cooperative security ensures cooperative prosperity.  To this end, NAVCENT plans, directs, and enables full spectrum naval operations with partners and allies to ensure maritime stability and security of theater sea lines of communication.

 

Approach

Partner, Posture, Prevail

We will approach our mission from a position of strength in the Central Region, ensuring maritime superiority that enhances stability and ensures security.  Through our coalition of reliable partners, we will deter and defeat enemy aggression, defend homelands, and maintain freedom of maneuver.  Through an optimized maritime posture, we will maintain control of the seas, ensuring multiple options for our coalition partners while creating dilemmas for adversaries.  Our posture and readiness will ensure our ability to respond to crisis, project naval power, and transition to major combat operations, if directed.  Finally, we will prevail in daily competition, deterring adversaries from pursuing their goals by denying sanctuary, disrupting malign activity, defending against maritime threats, and defeating aggression in the maritime.

 

Area of Operations

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Commander, 5th Fleet's area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 21 countries, includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.