World's Largest Maritime Exercise Underway in Middle East April 4, 2016 — The International Mine Countermeasures Exercise, the largest maritime exercise in the world, kicked off April 4, with international naval and civilian maritime forces from more than 30 nations spanning six continents training together across the Middle East. MORE

Third Illicit Arms Shipment in Recent Weeks Seized in Arabian Sea April 4, 2016 — For the third time in recent weeks, international naval forces operating in the waters of the Arabian Sea seized a shipment of illicit arms March 28, which the United States assessed originated in Iran and was likely bound for Houthi insurgents in Yemen. MORE

U.S., Kuwait Armed Forces Bilateral Amphibious Exercise Concludes March 8, 2016 — The Kearsarge Amphibious Readiness Group (KSGARG) participated in Amphibious Landing Exercise 2016 (PHIBLEX-16) from Feb. 14 to Mar. 9. MORE

USNS Choctaw County Enters 5th Fleet March 2, 2016 — Auxiliary, Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS Choctaw County (T-EPF 2) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) Feb. 3, the first ship of its platform to be forward deployed to the region following a routine transit of the Suez Canal. MORE

25th Anniversary of Kuwait Liberation Celebrated on Arlington February 25, 2016 — The amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) hosted a reception in the Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait from the forces of Saddam Hussein. MORE

U.S., Kuwait Armed Forces Begin Joint Amphibious Exercise February 21, 2016 — The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), along with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), began Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 16 in the Arabian Gulf, Feb. 20. MORE

CTF 55 Conducts Iraqi Bilateral Exercise in the Arabian Gulf February 15, 2016 — U.S. maritime forces aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) and the Island-class Coast Guard cutter USCGC Monomoy partnered with an Iraqi navy Swift Boat (P-310) to complete a bilateral exercise in the Arabian Gulf, Feb. 14-15. MORE

US, UK Forces Conduct Joint Mine Warfare Squadron Exercise February 3, 2016 — Commander, Task Force (CTF) 52 conducted a joint mine countermeasure (MCM) squadron exercise (SQUADEX) with the U.K. Mine Counter Measures Force (COMUKMCMFOR) Jan. 17-22. MORE

USNS Choctaw County Enters 5th Fleet February 3, 2016 — Auxiliary, Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS Choctaw County (T-EPF 2) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) Feb. 3, the first ship of its platform to be forward deployed to the region following a routine transit of the Suez Canal. MORE

Harry S. Truman CSG Launches First OIR Missions December 29, 2015 — Strike aircraft from nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) flew their first missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the fight to destroy the ISIL terrorist organization, Dec. 29. MORE