NAVCENT Hosts Defense Leaders from Bahrain, Israel February 3, 2022 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) hosted defense leaders from Bahrain and Israel, Feb. 3, for discussions on regional maritime security cooperation. MORE

International Maritime Exercise Q&A with Vice Adm. Brad Cooper February 1, 2022 — In a brief Q&A, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, shares his thoughts on International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2022, the largest multinational naval exercise in the Middle East that commenced Jan. 31. MORE

60 Nations, International Organizations Kick Off Largest Maritime Exercise in Middle East January 31, 2022 — The Middle East region’s largest maritime exercise commenced Jan. 31 during a ceremony at U.S. 5th Fleet’s headquarters in Bahrain. MORE

Like Father, Like Sons: Obellos’ sons are cut from the same Navy cloth January 28, 2022 — Being stationed overseas can be a stressful thing. A service member’s way of life is changed significantly as they leave everyone they know behind. In many cases, they can’t speak with their families for a long period of time, other than the occasional phone call and video call. MORE

NAVCENT Expands Unmanned Integration, Operates Saildrone in Arabian Gulf January 27, 2022 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) began operating the Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 27, expanding U.S. 5th Fleet’s integration of new unmanned systems. MORE

New U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Visit Egypt Marking Arrival to 5th Fleet January 26, 2022 — MANAMA, Bahrain - Two U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters stopped in Alexandria, Egypt, for a scheduled port visit Jan 25, marking their arrival to U.S. 5th Fleet after departing Key West, Florida in November. MORE

U.S. 5th Fleet Ships Visit Pakistan January 25, 2022 — Patrol coastal ships USS Squall (PC 7) and USS Whirlwind (PC 11) arrived in Karachi, Pakistan, for a scheduled port visit Jan. 25. MORE

U.S. Navy Interdicts Stateless Vessel Previously Caught Smuggling Weapons January 23, 2022 — On Jan. 18, U.S. 5th Fleet ships interdicted a stateless fishing vessel in the Gulf of Oman that was caught smuggling illicit weapons off the coast of Somalia last year. MORE

Q&A with USS Sirocco (PC 6) Commanding Officer January 20, 2022 — We recently spoke with the commanding officer of USS Sirocco (PC 6), a patrol coastal ship involved in a rescue operation in the Gulf of Oman in December. Sirocco’s crew safely rescued five mariners when their fishing vessel exploded. Sirocco is commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Brittany Lynn from Reidsville, North Carolina. Here are her thoughts on the rescue mission and her role as commanding officer. MORE

Record Seizures in 2021 after NAVCENT and CMF Increase Patrols January 18, 2022 — U.S. and international forces operating under U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) have seized record amounts of illicit cargo during maritime interdictions in 2021. MORE