U.S. Navy, RSNF conclude underwater MCM engagement exercise Indigo Response 18 January 28, 2018 — Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) and U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians wrapped up a week of advanced training during underwater mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise Indigo Response 18, Jan. 25. MORE

U.S. 5th Fleet Announces Sailor of the Year January 25, 2018 — U.S. 5th Fleet announced the selection of Information Systems Technician 1st Class Lenda Flowers, assigned to Task Force (TF) 57 and Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 57, as Shore Sailor of the Year during a ceremony held at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Jan. 25. MORE

Exercise Azraq Serpent 18 January 25, 2018 — United States and British Royal Naval forces partnered for exercise Azraq Serpent 18 (AS18) Jan. 14-19 on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship Cardigan Bay. MORE

Kuwait and US navies conclude EOD exercise Eager Response 18 January 21, 2018 — Kuwait Naval Force (KNF) and U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians completed a week of advanced training during an explosive ordnance disposal and mine countermeasure operations exercise Eager Response Jan. 11. MORE

USS Carney departs Alexandria, Egypt January 18, 2018 — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) departed Alexandria, Egypt, Jan. 17, 2018, after a port visit that enhanced relationships between the Egyptian Navy and the U.S. Navy. MORE

Commander of Bahrain navy visits TR January 18, 2018 — The Commander of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force visited the deployed aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Arabian Gulf Jan. 16. MORE

Whirlwind Sailor named CNSS 5 BJOY January 7, 2018 — Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Juan D. Aviles-Perez, assigned to the coastal patrol ship USS Whirlwind (PC 11), was selected as command Blue Jacket of the Year (BJOY) for Commander, Naval Surface Squadron (CNSS) 5, Jan. 4. MORE

RFA Fort Rosalie helicopter leads HMAS Warramunga to a 3.5 ton drug bust January 7, 2018 — The Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152), currently operating as part of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), stopped drug smugglers operating in international waters in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 2. MORE

HMAS Warramunga seizes 7.8 tons of narcotics in the Gulf of Oman December 30, 2017 — Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Warramunga (FFH 152), currently deployed as part of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, seized 7.8 tons of narcotics during a series of boardings Dec. 27-29 in the Gulf of Oman. MORE

U.S., French forces fortify longstanding partnership during Alligator Dagger December 20, 2017 — The French navy Mistral-class amphibious assault ship LHD Tonnerre (L9014), with embarked U.S. Marines and Sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and the USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) rehearsed amphibious operations and combat sustainment in the vicinity of Djibouti during Alligator Dagger Dec. 12-21. MORE