Category: US Naval Central Command

Source: United States Naval Central Command

MANAMA, Bahrain —

Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 153 and the United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) have remained ‘ready together’ as they safeguard maritime security in the Red Sea.

The guided-missile destroyer and its crew provided direct support to the Australian-led multinational task force during January and February, keeping watch for illicit activities including piracy, smuggling and narcotics trafficking.

While on patrol, crewmembers practiced skills needed to safely visit, board and search vessels, and to legally seize illicit materials being smuggled through the vital waterway.

The training came as CTF153 refocused on its core maritime security mission after responsibility for Operation Prosperity Guardian—the international response to attacks  on merchant shipping by Houthi terrorists—was transferred from CMF to U.S. Navy Destroyer Squadron 50 (DESRON 50).

 

Commander CTF 153, Royal Australian Navy Capt. Jorge McKee praised the Stout commanding officer and crew for the teamwork with his staff ashore.

“While our task force team ashore closely monitor the Red Sea for any activity requiring closer investigation by ships at sea, the crew of Stout are keeping their skills sharp and ready,” Captain McKee said. “It is an honor to work with USS Stout, as it is named in honor of U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Herald F. Stout, who served alongside Australians in the Second World War.”

Established in 2022, CTF 153 is one of five task forces under CMF. Its mission is to deter and impede illicit non-state actors in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and Gulf of Aden.

CTF153’s area of responsibility includes some of the world’s most important shipping lanes, connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean and the greater Middle East region.

Combined Maritime Forces, a 46-nation naval partnership headquartered in Bahrain, is the world’s largest multinational naval partnership. It is committed to upholding the rules-based international order at sea, promoting security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, including crucial shipping lanes.

Source: United States Naval Central Command

MANAMA, Bahrain —

The Middle East region’s largest maritime exercise, International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025, concluded during a closing ceremony here, Feb 20.

IMX 2025 brought together 5,000 personnel from over 30 nations and international organizations committed to preserving the rules-based international order and strengthening regional maritime security cooperation.

The 12-day exercise took participants through several exercise serials across multiple locations at sea in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, as well as ashore and in the air. Some of the serials included diving, harbor security, mine countermeasures, unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration, visit, board, search and seizure procedures, and global health management events.

“It’s inspiring to see so many nations working together. The incredible level of international representation is pivotal to our success of safeguarding regional waterways and enabling the free flow of commerce,” said U.S. Navy Vice Adm. George Wikoff, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, in his remarks at the closing ceremony. “IMX 2025 was truly about partnering to strengthen and expand our capabilities.”

“[The] exercise brought forward many viewpoints [about how] to handle a single situation in various different ways. I am confident that the takeaways of this exercise will serve all the participants in planning and executing various exercises in their respective countries,” said Pakistan Navy Commodore Rashid Mahmood Sheikh, who led the CPX exercise for IMX 2025, in his remarks.

IMX 2025 ran in conjunction with a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa exercise, Cutlass Express 25, with each exercise’s respective maritime operations centers exercising their information sharing capabilities to improve theater-to-theater coordination, reduce regional seams, and strengthen interoperability.

The ninth iteration of the series, IMX began in 2012 as the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise, before changing its name to reflect a more expansive mission set.

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandeb.

For imagery, photos and information on IMX, visit the feature page at: https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/IMX/.

Source: United States Naval Central Command

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY —

Crewmembers of the U.S. Coast Guard fast-response cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin, Jr. (WPC-1147) and the mine countermeasures ship USS Devastator (MCM 6) rescued seven mariners from a disabled vessel in the international waters of the Central Arabian Gulf, Feb. 18.

Following a distress signal from the mariners, the Coastguardsmen embarked a rigid-hull inflatable boat to offer assistance. After determining the vessel was no longer sea worthy, the Coastguardsmen brought the mariners back to their ship. Devastator provided back-up support during the operation.

None of the mariners appeared to be injured.

“Providing assistance at sea to mariners in distress is a core Coast Guard mission,” said Coast Guard Lt. Michael O’Dell, Clarence Sutphin, Jr.’s commanding officer. “It is inherently dangerous, but the team executed without hesitation – without fear – to extend their compassion to people in a dire situation. I’m incredibly proud of to be a part of this team.”

Clarence Sutphin, Jr. is forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Devastator is an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship also forward deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet. Both ships help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

Source: United States Naval Central Command

MANAMA, Bahrain —

A U.S. Coast Guard fast-response cutter, working in direct support of New Zealand-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of Combined Maritime Forces, seized nearly 2,400 kilograms of illegal drugs from a vessel in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 7.

The interdiction by the Sentinel-class fast-response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145) represents CTF 150’s first drug seizure since New Zealand assumed command Jan. 15.

The cutter’s boarding team discovered and seized 2,357kg of hashish from the vessel. After weighing and documenting the haul, the crew properly disposed of the narcotics.

Commodore Rodger Ward, commander of CTF 150, said he’s proud of the team effort that went into making this interdiction a reality after only a few weeks in command.

“Our command is a small cog in a system focused on interdicting illicit trafficking on the high seas,” Ward said. “This is a team effort and this bust would not have been possible without the support of the 46 nations who make up the Combined Maritime Forces.”

Ward noted that every bust we make reduces the flow of finances to terrorist organizations. “This is why we’re here, to contribute to maritime security and protect the rules-based international order,” he said.

Emlen Tunnell is forward deployed to Bahrain. The fast response cutter is part of a contingent of U.S. Coast Guard ships operating in the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships alongside U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest international naval partnership. CTF 150’s mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Combined Maritime Forces is a 46-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Source: United States Naval Central Command

MANAMA, Bahrain —

The Middle East region’s largest maritime exercise, International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025, kicked off in two locations, Bahrain and Jordan, Feb. 10.

The week began with academic discussions covering a series of topics including the naval planning process, maritime operations center procedures, and disaster response coordination.

IMX25 is a 12-day naval training event hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). This year’s iteration of IMX is linked with exercise Cutlass Express. Cutlass Express, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, is an annually scheduled exercise designed to enhance regional maritime awareness and the combined capabilities of partner nations to respond to maritime threats. The exercises are link through information sharing between maritime operations center to strengthen theater-to-theater coordination, reducing regional seams and strengthening U.S. and partner nation capabilities and interoperability.

More than 5,000 personnel from more than 35 nations and international organizations will take part in both exercises.

IMX is designed to demonstrate global resolve in preserving the rules-based international order, offering a unique opportunity for participants to collaborate and showcase regional maritime security cooperation.

“Exercises like IMX show that we are at our best when we work together and that our resolve is unwavering,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jeff Jurgemeyer, NAVCENT vice commander, during his remarks at the opening ceremony. “The Middle East region is a critical crossroads for worldwide commerce and trade. IMX is our combined assurance that the potential for economic success is greatest when international waterways are safe and open for all.”

The operational phase will include partner exchanges on mine and countermeasures; visit, board, search and seizure; unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration; explosive ordnance disposal; vessel defense; search and rescue; and mass casualty response, among other focus areas.

This is the ninth iteration of IMX since its establishment in 2012.

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandeb.

More information about IMX is available at: https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/IMX/.

Source: United States Naval Central Command

MANAMA, Bahrain —

The Middle East region’s largest maritime exercise, International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025, kicked off in two locations, Bahrain and Jordan, Feb. 10.

The week began with academic discussions covering a series of topics including the naval planning process, maritime operations center procedures, and disaster response coordination.

IMX25 is a 12-day naval training event hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). This year’s iteration of IMX is linked with exercise Cutlass Express. Cutlass Express, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, is an annually scheduled exercise designed to enhance regional maritime awareness and the combined capabilities of partner nations to respond to maritime threats. The exercises are link through information sharing between maritime operations center to strengthen theater-to-theater coordination, reducing regional seams and strengthening U.S. and partner nation capabilities and interoperability.

More than 5,000 personnel from more than 35 nations and international organizations will take part in both exercises.

IMX is designed to demonstrate global resolve in preserving the rules-based international order, offering a unique opportunity for participants to collaborate and showcase regional maritime security cooperation.

“Exercises like IMX show that we are at our best when we work together and that our resolve is unwavering,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jeff Jurgemeyer, NAVCENT vice commander, during his remarks at the opening ceremony. “The Middle East region is a critical crossroads for worldwide commerce and trade. IMX is our combined assurance that the potential for economic success is greatest when international waterways are safe and open for all.”

The operational phase will include partner exchanges on mine and countermeasures; visit, board, search and seizure; unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration; explosive ordnance disposal; vessel defense; search and rescue; and mass casualty response, among other focus areas.

This is the ninth iteration of IMX since its establishment in 2012.

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandeb.

More information about IMX is available at: https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/IMX/.

Source: United States Naval Central Command

MANAMA, Bahrain —

Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 handed over responsibility for Operation Prosperity Guardian, the presence and information-sharing mission to counter unlawful Houthi attacks on maritime shipping in the Red Sea region, to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50, Feb. 1.

DESRON 50, the surface warfare task force under U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, will continue OPG’s commitment to freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and Western Gulf of Aden.

“CMF’s CTF-153 has done a spectacular job leading OPG and I thank all of the members who committed to this important mission,” said Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of CMF. “There will be no change to the important role OPG contributes to regional maritime security.”

“DESRON 50 brings immediate continuity to the mission,” Wikoff said.

More than 20 nations participated in OPG, providing ships, personnel, and information support since the focused operation was announced in December 2023. Wikoff said CMF personnel who participated in OPG, “performed their duties with exceptional professionalism.”

The Joint Maritime Information Center, established in February 2024 as part of OPG’s information sharing mission, will expand its role within the CMF as an authoritative information source for regional maritime reporting.

“Through dialogue and building close relationships with industry and with CMF, JMIC continues to provide real-time information to enable informed decisions, contributing to overall domain awareness,” said Capt. Lee Stuart, JMIC Director.

Combined Maritime Forces, a 46-nation naval partnership, is headquartered in Bahrain and is the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, committed to upholding the rules-based international order at sea. It promotes security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Source: United States Naval Central Command

MANAMA, Bahrain —

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force (TF) 53 welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Dec. 19.

Capt. Cherie Taylor relieved Capt. Chris Brusca, who assumed command of TF 53 in August 2023.

The task force specializes in coordinating replenishment-at-sea efforts and delivers passengers, mail, cargo, ammunition, provisions and fuel throughout the 5th Fleet area of operations via air, land and sea.

Rear Admiral, Lower Half Matthew J. Kawas, Deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, congratulated Capt. Brusca as he lived up to the Military Sealift Command’s mission.

“You were a steady presence in this highly crucial Task Force,” said Kawas. “Nothing happens without logistics. You ensured our forces made things happen. Thank you for forging a team that was a forceful provider. You were an incredible teammate to your fellow task force commanders and a naval fleet success. Well done.”

While commanding TF 53, Brusca oversaw 200 ordnance reloads and over 3.5 million tons of ordnance supporting 35 ships, including four carrier strike groups and independent deployers in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation. Additionally, the task force supported more than 30 million pounds of cargo, nearly 25,000 passengers and 4,000 aircraft movements across 27 countries.

Brusca praised the planning efforts of the men and women he served alongside.

“I like to play chess, and in the game of chess you have to think multiple moves ahead and in logistics that’s what we have to do,” said Brusca. “What I have learned in my time in command, is that we are playing on a board that sometimes not everyone is playing on. We have great moves planned out on this board and we are prepared for all kinds of moves that could get made against us by the opposite side.”

With his tour complete, Brusca will next report to the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Mid-South Region Consortium.

Taylor assumes command of TF 53 following a tour as deputy commander of TF 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

“I accept the challenge and I’m excited to be a part of the TF 53 and MSC team,” Taylor said. “I pledge my team and I will give 200%  to the complex operation of providing logistics in 5th Fleet!”

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water space and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.

Source: United States Naval Central Command

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visits U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet onboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, Dec. 18-19.

Secretary Del Toro had a series of engagements including meetings with key leaders, service members and government civilians, visiting various facilities and ships, and holding an all-hands call in the base gym.

“Thank you to each and every one of you for what you have done to serve our Navy, our Marine Corps, our Department of Defense and our nation,” said Del Toro.  “You all had a choice to make when you were entering the work force and you chose to serve your country.”

During the all-hands call, Secretary Del Toro reflected on his time in service and praised the team. Additionally, he highlighted the CNO’s NAVPLAN, Navy retention and support, and encouraged Sailors and Marines to enjoy their time in service.

“I’m proud of our Sailors, Marines and Merchant Mariners who are serving aboard aircraft carriers, amphibious ships, cruisers, destroyers, combat logistics ships and watch floors in this critical region. You are American heroes!”

Before concluding the all-hands call, personnel were given the opportunity to ask questions about quality of life and quality of service opportunities.

Del Toro was sworn in as the 78th secretary of the Navy Aug. 9, 2021. In 1983, he joined the United States Navy as a surface warfare officer for 22 years before departing active duty to enter the private sector.

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water space and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.

Source: United States Naval Central Command

MANAMA, Bahrain —

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) entered the U.S. Central command area of responsibility, Dec 14.

The carrier strike group consists of the flagship Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 with nine embarked aviation squadrons; staffs from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, CVW-1, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109). 

The HSTCSG last deployed in the U.S. Central command area of responsibility in March 2020. 

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is ready, if called upon, to execute the full spectrum of carrier operations essential to U.S. national security, including the defense of U.S. and partner forces and personnel and freedom of navigation to ensure maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central command area of responsibility. 

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water space and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.