Readout of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces Vice Adm. Brad Cooper Meetings with Oman Defense Officials

U.S. 5th Fleet provided the following readout: 

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces met with Oman defense officials June 10 in separate meetings to reaffirm the longstanding defense relationship between the United States and Oman.

Cooper met with Oman Secretary General, Ministry of Defense His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bin Nasser Bin Ali Al-Za’abi; Chief of Staff Sultan’s Armed Forces Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis bin Abdullah Al Raisi; and Air Vice Marshal Khamis Bin Hammad Al Ghafri, commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman. 

The leaders discussed the importance of integration and interoperability between the two nations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz, and Arabian Gulf. 

Cooper also expressed his appreciation to His Excellency for supporting U.S. ship port visits to Duqm, including a recent visit by aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). 

Cooper thanked Al Raisi for the close ties between the Sultan’s Armed Forces and U.S. Navy, which support maritime security and freedom of navigation in the region’s critical waterways.

Cooper thanked Al Ghafri for the support provided by the Royal Air Force of Oman to regional aviation and maritime operations, and to maritime security exercises with the U.S. and coalition partners.