France’s CATG Departs Port for a Bilateral Deployment November 21, 2017 — France’s amphibious task group (CATG), comprised of the French Navy Mistral-class amphibious assault ship LHD Tonnerre and the Horizon-class air defense destroyer Chevalier Paul, left its homeport Nov. 21 for a deployment which will include time in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. MORE

Sailors receive grand tour of USNS Washington Chambers October 25, 2017 — Eleven Sailors from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s (NAVCENT) tenant commands toured the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) at Khalifa Bin Salman Port Oct. 23. MORE

US, UK Complete Mine Identification and Exploitation Exercise 2017 October 22, 2017 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 52 and United Kingdom Royal Naval forces completed Mine Identification and Exploitation Exercise (MIE-EX) 2017 training in the Arabian Gulf, Oct. 16. MORE

5th Fleet Sailor Re-enlists at Navy Ball October 18, 2017 — In a ballroom decorated in red, white and blue, one Sailor renewed his commitment to service at the 242nd Navy Birthday Ball at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Oct. 13. MORE

U.S. 5th Fleet Sailors Celebrate Navy’s 242nd Birthday October 14, 2017 — More than 500 service members and guests celebrated 242 years of American naval history and tradition during the Navy Birthday Ball at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Oct. 13. MORE

Dextrous Welcomes New CO October 2, 2017 — The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Dextrous (MCM 13) held a change of command ceremony while moored pier side at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Oct. 2. MORE

Bahrain Surface Force Staffs Merge, Provides Better Support to 14 Ships October 1, 2017 — Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson, Jr., commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT), participated in a ceremony to recognize the establishment of commander, Naval Surface Squadron (CNSS) 5 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Oct. 1. MORE

TF 52 Hosts U.K./U.S. Mine Countermeasures Exercise September 21, 2017 — The U.S. Navy and Royal Navy completed U.K./U.S. Mine Countermeasures Exercise (MCMEX) 17-3, a quarterly bilateral exercise, in the central Arabian Gulf, Sept. 21. MORE

U.S. Fifth Fleet Welcomes New Commander September 19, 2017 — Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT)/U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F)/Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sept. 19. MORE

61 New U.S. Navy chiefs pinned in Bahrain September 14, 2017 — A room full of Sailors stood at attention. Their uniforms khaki, their collars laid bare. They stood ready for hard-earned gold-fouled anchors to be pinned on. Sixty-one Sailors from ten commands stood side by side in a crowded gym on Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain awaiting their anchors during the Chief’s Pinning Ceremony Sept. 14. MORE