Defense Secretary Visits USS Sentry, Unmanned Systems in Bahrain

By 5th Fleet Public Affairs - NAVCENT | November 21, 2021

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to Sailors aboard mine countermeasures ship USS Sentry (MCM 3), at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Nov. 21. Sentry is forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to Sailors aboard mine countermeasures ship USS Sentry (MCM 3), at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Nov. 21. Sentry is forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (Photo by MC2 Anita Chebahtah)


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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin visits mine countermeasures ship USS Sentry (MCM 3), at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, Nov. 21. Sentry is forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin visits mine countermeasures ship USS Sentry (MCM 3), at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, Nov. 21. Sentry is forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (Photo by MC2 Mark Thomas Mahmod)


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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to U.S. Navy personnel assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 52 about a Mark 18 Mod 2 underwater unmanned vehicle, at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Nov. 21. TF 52 provides command and control of all mine warfare assets in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to U.S. Navy personnel assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 52 about a Mark 18 Mod 2 underwater unmanned vehicle, at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Nov. 21. TF 52 provides command and control of all mine warfare assets in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (Photo by MC2 Mark Thomas Mahmod)


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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to U.S. Navy personnel about the Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel, attached to Task Force (TF) 59, at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Nov. 21. TF 59 is the first U.S. Navy task force of its kind, designed to rapidly integrate unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with maritime operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to U.S. Navy personnel about the Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel, attached to Task Force (TF) 59, at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Nov. 21. TF 59 is the first U.S. Navy task force of its kind, designed to rapidly integrate unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with maritime operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (Photo by MC2 Mark Thomas Mahmod)


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MANAMA, BAHRAIN --

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visited mine countermeasures ship USS Sentry (MCM 3) while at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Nov. 21.

Austin met with Sailors from Sentry and USS Gladiator (MCM 11) after both ships returned to Bahrain from a historic transit to the Red Sea where they participated in a bilateral training exercise with Saudi Arabia’s Western Fleet. The voyage marked the first time in seven years U.S. 5th Fleet’s forward-deployed MCMs sailed from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea and back, a total of 5,100 nautical miles.

“You ought to feel good about the fact that you are making a significant difference,” Austin told the crew over the ship’s announcement system. “We’re really, really proud of the fact that you just completed a historic transit to the Red Sea and back.”

Austin also met with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) personnel to learn about how U.S. 5th Fleet is integrating unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with crewed and legacy platforms.

Staff from NAVCENT’s Task Force 52, in charge of U.S. 5th Fleet’s mine warfare assets, briefed the secretary on various unmanned underwater vehicles and next-generation mine countermeasures systems.

“Having surveyed some of the capabilities that you’re using to do your job on a daily basis, it really is extraordinary and impressive,” said Austin. “We couldn’t be more proud of you.”

In September, NAVCENT established a new task force to focus U.S. 5th Fleet efforts on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration.

Last month, Task Force 59 conducted the first exercise integrating unmanned surface vessels (USV) with manned assets at sea in the Arabian Gulf. Next month, the task force will establish a joint hub at the Royal Jordanian naval base in Aqaba, Jordan, for USV operations in the Red Sea.

“You ought to feel good about doing some things that are really extraordinary and demonstrate the true capability that you have,” Austin said. “I have no doubt that you will continue to take things to the next level.”

The Middle East region's unique geography, climate, and strategic importance offer an ideal environment for unmanned innovation. The area includes the world's largest standing maritime partnership, Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

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