U.S, Iraq, Pakistan Conduct VBSS Exercise March 2, 2017 — The U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Force South West Asia (PATFORSWA) Maritime Engagement Team (MET) with Iraqi and Pakistani naval officers conducted a multilateral visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Feb. 26-Mar. 9. MORE

US Marines, Omani Soldiers begin Exercise Sea Soldier 17 February 23, 2017 — Launching from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) off the coast of Oman, more than 250 U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKI ARG)/11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) began training alongside soldiers from the Royal Army of Oman’s 11th Brigade for Exercise Sea Soldier in Salalah, Oman, Feb. 19, 2017. MORE

U.S., Oman, France and U.K. Commence Exercise Khunjar Haad February 23, 2017 — The U.S. Navy with the Royal Navy of Oman, the Royal Navy and French Marine Nationale kicked off the 22nd iteration of Exercise Khunjar Haad, an annual multilateral mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise in the Gulf of Oman, Feb. 19. MORE

French ship Forbin assists in maritime rescue February 15, 2017 — The French Marine Nationale anti-air frigate FS Forbin, assigned to Commander Task Force (CTF) 50, assisted in the rescue of mariners from a sinking dhow Feb. 13. MORE

Exercise Unified Trident brings four nations together to maintain readiness February 1, 2017 — MANAMA, Bahrain - Naval forces from four allied nations engage in Exercise Unified Trident starting Jan. 31. MORE

USS Cole Provides Assistance to Iranian-flagged Dhow January 29, 2017 — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) conducted an approach and assist in response to a distress call from an Iranian-flagged dhow, Jan. 27. MORE

USS Makin Island Provides Medical Assistance to Pakistani Sailor January 23, 2017 — Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) rendered medical assistance to a Pakistani sailor while operating in the Gulf of Aden, Jan. 20. MORE

US, UK and French Combine Forces in US Task Force 50 December 30, 2016 — The French anti-air frigate FS Forbin joined U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's (NAVCENT) Task Force (CTF) 50 on Dec. 27. MORE

MKI ARG, 11th MEU conduct amphibious drills in the Gulf of Aden during December 8, 2016 — U.S. Marines and Sailors of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKI ARG)/11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) are rehearsing amphibious operations and conducting combat sustainment training in the vicinity of Djibouti throughout December during Exercise Alligator Dagger. MORE

U.K.-U.S. Mine Countermeasures Exercise 17-1 Concludes in Arabian Gulf November 21, 2016 — U.K.-U.S. Mine Countermeasures Exercise 17-1, a 38-day long bilateral exercise between the U.S. Navy and Royal navy designed to provide an opportunity for both nations to share knowledge of mine countermeasures (MCM) techniques concluded in the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 17. MORE