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

NAVCENT Commander Meets with Egyptian Naval Leaders, Speaks of Bright Future with Egyptian Naval Midshipmen June 23, 2021 — Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) visited Egypt June 19-21, to meet with the Egyptian Chief of Navy and speak to Cadets at the Egyptian Naval Academy. MORE

U.S. Naval Forces Rescue Mariners from Stranded Ship in Gulf of Aden June 18, 2021 — A U.S. Naval ship assigned to U.S. 5th Fleet provided emergency assistance to a motor vessel in distress in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, June 16. The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) identified a vessel flying the international distress flag and proceeded toward them to render assistance. MORE

PATFORSWA Holds Change of Command June 17, 2021 — Capt. Benjamin D. Berg relieved Capt. Willie Carmichael as Commander, Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, June 16. MORE

U.S. Coast Guard Decommissions Bahrain-Based Cutters USCGC Aquidneck, USCGC Adak June 17, 2021 — After more than 30 years of active service, Coast Guard Island-class patrol boats USCGC Aquidneck (WPB 1309) and USCGC Adak (WPB 1333) were decommissioned from service in a ceremony onboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, June 15. MORE

Kuwait and U.S. Naval Forces Complete Exercise Eager Defender 21 June 14, 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

Readout of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces Commander Vice Adm. Brad Cooper call with Commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Naval Forces Staff Pilot Major General Saeed Bin Hamdan al Nahyan June 12, 2021 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces Commander Vice Adm. Brad Cooper spoke with Commander of the United Arab Emirates Naval Forces Staff Pilot Major General Saeed Bin Hamdan al Nahyan, June 9. MORE