First Visit by U.S. Warship to Egypt’s Berenice Naval Base August 12, 2021 — Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) visited Egypt’s Berenice Naval Base, Aug. 12, marking the first time a U.S. warship has pulled into the Red Sea base, which officially opened in January 2020. MORE

Task Force 55 Holds Change of Command August 1, 2021 — Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50 and Task Force (TF) 55 held a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, July 29. MORE

U.S. Naval Forces Provide Emergency Assistance to Distressed Mariners in the Arabian Gulf July 29, 2021 — The guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) provided emergency assistance to an Indian-flagged merchant vessel in the international waters of the Arabian Gulf, Jul. 27. MORE

U.S., U.K., and Gulf Partners Conduct Multinational AOMSW Exercise July 29, 2021 — U.S. naval forces completed a multilateral joint and combined air operations in support of maritime surface warfare (AOMSW) live-fire exercise with the United Kingdom, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, State of Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates in the Arabian Gulf, July 18-22. MORE

NAVCENT Commander Discusses Shared Commitment to Regional Maritime Security with United Arab Emirates July 10, 2021 — Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) met with United Arab Emirates (UAE) defense leaders to discuss the UAE’s continued commitment to improving regional maritime security as a member of CMF and the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) during a visit to Abu Dhabi, July 6-7. MORE

NAVCENT Commander Joins Egyptian President in Welcoming New Egyptian Naval Base July 5, 2021 — Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), attended the opening of the newest Egyptian Naval Force base, in the port of Gargoub, on the Mediterranean Sea, July 3. MORE

Task Force 53 Holds Change of Command July 1, 2021 — Task Force (TF) 53 held a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, July 1. Capt. Michael Toth relieved Capt. Michael B. O’Driscoll as commander of TF 53 in the ceremony, presided over by Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet. MORE

NAVCENT Commander Discusses Maritime Security with Yemen Vice President, GCC Secretary General, and Saudi Arabian Military Leaders July 1, 2021 — Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 30 - July 1, and discussed maritime security during separate meetings with regional leaders. MORE

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Enters 5th Fleet June 25, 2021 — The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), flagship of the Ronald Reagan carrier strike group (CSG), along with guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) and guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97), entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, June 25. MORE

Kuwait and U.S. Naval Forces Complete Exercise Eager Defender 21 June 25, 2021 — The Kuwait Naval Force, Kuwait Coast Guard and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) participated in bilateral maritime exercise Eager Defender 21 in Kuwait and the North Arabian Gulf, June 4-14. MORE