CENTCOM Intercepts Iranian Weapons Shipment Intended for Houthis February 15, 2024 — A U.S. Coast Guard cutter, forward deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, seized advanced conventional weapons and other lethal aid originating in Iran and bound to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on Jan. 28. MORE

U.S. Military and Kuwait Armed Forces Collaborate in Exercise Eager Defender 24 February 12, 2024 — The Kuwait Naval Force, Kuwait Coast Guard, U.S Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command joined forces in Eager Defender 24 (ED 24), a bilateral maritime drill aimed at strengthening mutual interoperability and capabilities. The exercise, led by Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5), took place in Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf from Jan. 28 to Feb. 7, and showcases the commitment of both nations to regional security and readiness. MORE

Cooper Hands Over Command of U.S. 5th Fleet to Wikoff February 1, 2024 — Vice Adm. Brad Cooper turned over command of Middle East naval forces to Vice Adm. George Wikoff during a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Feb. 1. MORE

Colombia Joins Combined Maritime Forces in Middle East as 41st Member January 27, 2024 — Combined Maritime Forces welcomed Colombia as the 41st member of the world's largest maritime security partnership, Jan 21. MORE

Brazil Assumes Command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 151 January 23, 2024 — The Brazilian Navy assumed command of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) counter-piracy focused task force during a change of command ceremony here, Jan. 23. MORE

Ecuador Joins Combined Maritime Forces in Middle East as 40th Member January 22, 2024 — On Jan. 11, the Combined Maritime Forces welcomed Ecuador as the 40th member of the world’s largest maritime security partnership. MORE

Illegal Drugs Seized by CMF French-led Combined Task Force 150 in Arabian Sea January 18, 2024 — A U.S. Coast Guard cutter operating under the French-led Combined Task Force 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces seized about $8.1 million worth of illegal drugs from a vessel in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 16. MORE

Canada Assumes Command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 150 January 17, 2024 — The Royal Canadian Navy assumed command of a multinational maritime task force during a change-of-command ceremony Jan. 17. MORE

Task Force 59 Launches New Unmanned Task Group 59.1 January 16, 2024 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 59 commissioned a new task group focused on unmanned operations during a ceremony here, Jan. 3.The task group, known as Task Group 59.1, focuses on the operational deployment of unmanned systems teamed with manned operators to bolster maritime security across the Middle East region.“We are bringing MORE

Iran Attacks and Seizes Merchant Shipping Vessel January 11, 2024 — On Jan. 11, The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) unlawfully seized the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker St. Nikolas while the vessel was transiting the international waters of the Gulf of Oman. MORE