NAVCENT Stands Down Task Force Supporting Afghanistan Evacuation September 14, 2021 — On Sept. 14, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) stood down a task force established last month to temporarily assist the safe evacuation of personnel from Afghanistan. MORE

Essex Amphibious Ready Group Enters 5th Fleet September 14, 2021 — Amphibious assault ship USS ESSEX (LHD 2), flagship of the ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group (ESX ARG), along with amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, Sept. 12. MORE

U.S. 5th Fleet Launches New Task Force to Integrate Unmanned Systems September 9, 2021 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) established a new task force, Sept. 9, to rapidly integrate unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with maritime operations in the 5th Fleet area of operations MORE

Defense Secretary Thanks Troops During NAVCENT Visit September 8, 2021 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visited U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) headquarters, Sept. 8, during his first visit to Naval Support Activity Bahrain as secretary. MORE

Pakistan, German, U.S. Naval Forces Conduct Passing Exercise in Arabian Sea September 7, 2021 — The Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Alamgir (F 260) and German Navy frigate FGS Bayern (F 217) participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) in the Arabian Sea, Sept. 6. MORE

Task Force 152 Holds Change of Command September 3, 2021 — Kuwait Naval Force Col. Ebraheem Al-Dawai relieved Saudi Border Guard Capt. Ali bin Madi Al-Qahtani as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 during a ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sept. 2. MORE

Israeli and U.S. Warships Conduct Milestone Maritime Patrol August 31, 2021 — Ships from the Israeli Navy and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) conducted a combined maritime security patrol in the Red Sea, Aug. 30-31. MORE

NAVCENT Stands Up Task Force Supporting Afghanistan Evacuation August 23, 2021 — A U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) task force established Aug. 19 is temporarily assisting the safe evacuation of personnel from Afghanistan. MORE

USS Iwo Jima Transits the Strait of Hormuz August 23, 2021 — The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), along with guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), dry cargo and ammunition ships USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) and USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) and U.S. flagged container ship M/V Sagamore transited the Strait of Hormuz, entering the Arabian Gulf, Aug. 23. MORE

NAVCENT Begins IMX 22 Main Planning Conference August 16, 2021 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) opened the main planning conference for International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 22 in Manama, Bahrain, Aug. 16. MORE