Exercise Digital Talon Advances Unmanned Lethality at Sea November 2, 2023 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) is advancing lethality and the combat capabilities of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) during live weapons firing exercises in the international waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula, Oct. 23. MORE

CTF 150, U.S. Coast Guard Seize $25 Million in Illegal Drugs October 11, 2023 — The U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) seized about $25 million worth of illegal drugs from a stateless vessel while operating in the international waters of the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 3. MORE

U.S. 5th Fleet Enhances Middle East Maritime Security with Unmanned Capabilities October 6, 2023 — Last month, naval forces in the Middle East region successfully integrated unmanned platforms with traditionally crewed ships and aircraft to conduct enhanced maritime security operations in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula. MORE

U.S. Iraq and Kuwait Wrap Up Successful Trilateral Exercise October 3, 2023 — Maritime forces from Iraq, Kuwait and the United States completed a two-day trilateral exercise focusing on counter-piracy and maritime security in the Northern Arabian Gulf, Oct. 3. MORE

No U.S. Injuries Following IRGC Navy Lazing Incident at Sea September 28, 2023 — Statement from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Spokesman Cmdr. Rick Chernitzer: MORE

CTF Sentinel Commander visits USS Indianapolis September 27, 2023 — The commander of the International Maritime Security Construct’s (IMSC) Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel visited USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) Sept. 26 to recognize the crew for its work in responding to maritime awareness calls in support of CTF Sentinel objectives. MORE

U.S. Naval Forces Advances Interoperability Search and Rescue Exercise with the Royal Bahrain Navy September 25, 2023 — The Sentinel-class fast response cutter, USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) and the Royal Bahrain Navy’s patrol craft Al Farooq (PC 43) conducted a search and rescue (SAR) exercise in the Arabian Gulf, Sept. 21. MORE

U.S. Forces Conduct Joint Aviation Integration Exercise in the Gulf of Oman September 25, 2023 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) conducted a joint Air Operation in Maritime Surface Warfare (AOMSW) exercise in the Gulf of Oman, Sept. 23-24. MORE

French-Led Combined Task Force 150 seized more illegal narcotics in the Arabian Sea September 20, 2023 — On September 7, UK warship HMS Lancaster (F229), operating in support of the French-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 seized more than 450kg of illegal drugs including heroin and hashish in the Arabian Sea. MORE

USS Bataan hosts distinguished visitors from Saudi Arabia at sea September 17, 2023 — The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) hosted a delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the U.S. ambassador, at sea Sept. 13 for a day-long embark. The embark was an opportunity for the delegation to meet Sailors and Marines deployed to the region and to better understand their capabilities. MORE