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Commander Us Naval Forces Central Command News

25 Jun 2020

US Navy Ships Set Record for Longest Stretch at Sea

The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) transits the Arabian Sea, June 12, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Aaron Bewkes)

Two warships kept away from shore to minimize crew exposure to COVID-19 have set a new U.S. Navy record for most consecutive days at sea. As of Thursday, aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) and its escort ship, guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) have been at sea for 161 days, besting the previous mark of 160 days set by aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in February 2002.Ike and San Jacinto departed their homeport of Norfolk, Va., in mid-January for the strike group’s Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and follow-on deployment to the U.S.

16 Aug 2017

US to Commission USS Lewis B. Puller

The Navy will commission the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) during a 5 p.m. AST ceremony Thursday, August 17, at Khalifa bin Salman Port in Al Hidd, Bahrain. The future Lewis B. Puller - currently USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB 3 )- is the second ship to bear the name of Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller, a distinguished combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Puller is the only Marine to have been awarded the Navy Cross on five separate occasions and is the most decorated individual in the history of the USMC. The first Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate, served from 1982-1998, and was then transferred to the Egyptian Navy and renamed Toushka (F.906). Vice Adm. Kevin M. Donegan, commander, U.S.

06 Jun 2017

UK, France, US Sign Trilateral Submarine Agreement

Naval leaders from the United Kingdom, France and the United States signed an agreement June 1, designed to increase coordination for anti-submarine warfare activities of the three countries as they operate in the 5th Fleet area of operations. Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Vice Adm. Kevin M. Donegan signed the trilateral agreement with Vice Adm. Louis-Michel Guillaume, commander, French Submarine and Strategic Oceanic Forces (ALFOST) and Rear Adm. Robert K. Tarrant, commander, Operations of the Royal Navy, at Donegan's headquarters in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This agreement follows the signing of a document by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, First Sea Lord of the United Kingdom Adm. Sir Philip Jones, and French Chief of Naval Staff Adm.

27 Nov 2014

NAVCENT Commander Recognizes Journey of Hope Sailors

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Adm. John. W. Miller, recognized the accomplishments of three special-needs sailors from the Kuwaiti ship, Journey of Hope, during a port visit in Bahrain, Nov. 25. The sailors were recognized for their spirited voyage to raise awareness of the rights and potential of people with intellectual disabilities. Miller and the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, his excellency, Shaikh Azzman bin Mubarak Al-Sabah, honored the three Kuwaiti sailors who are serving as crew members aboard the vessel as they sailed to 44 ports in 18 different countries, spreading their message of the great things that people with intellectual disabilities are capable of.

22 Jan 2014

UK Secretary of State Visits UKMCC

Philip Hammond

The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP called on the UKMCC headquarters in order to meet personnel and receive briefings on the U.K.’s naval mission in the Gulf. He was accompanied throughout by Lieutenant General Simon Mayall CB, Defense Senior Advisor Middle East. Commenting on his visit, Hammond said, "The Royal Navy's continued presence in the Gulf is essential to ensuring maritime security and to protect freedom of navigation in this important region. The Secretary of State also met Vice Admiral John W Miller, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, during his visit.

09 Jan 2014

Middle East Maritime Security: Cooperation is the Key Vital

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the "Sea Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, transports supplies over the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) during a replenishment-at-sea with the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Arabian Gulf. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Karl Anderson)

Vice Adm. John Miller, U.S. Navy, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) , spoke to delegates attending the IQPC Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Middle East 2013 conference just after participating in the 8th International Institute For Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue to discuss the development and implementation of regional security and provided a platform for leaders from more than 30 countries to engage in inter-governmental dialogue on sensitive regional issues.

11 Dec 2013

Delegates Call for Maritime Security Cooperation

Maritime security conference delegates have a shared understanding of threats, need for cooperation

Attendees at the IQPC Offshore Patrol Vessels Middle East 2013 conference agree that what happens at sea in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East has implications that ripple, or more correctly rumble throughout the globe. Speakers and panelists underscored the importance of maritime domain awareness and security for military, commercial, legal and environmental reasons, and how they are all connected. The IQPC Offshore Patrol Vessel conference at the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi is being attended by naval, coast guard, security, and other maritime and military professionals.

26 Aug 2013

US & China Join in Counter-piracy Exercises

US & PLAN sailors: Photo credit USN

The guided-missile destroyer 'USS Mason' (DDG 87) personnel participated in a counter piracy exercise in the Gulf of Aden with elements of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)), aboard the destroyer 'Harbin' and Chinese auxiliary replenishment oiler Weishanhu (AO 887). Mason joined Chinese destroyer Harbin (DDG 112) and Chinese auxiliary replenishment oiler Weishanhu (AO 887) to conduct a series of evolutions including combined visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), live-fire proficiency, and aviation operations to enhance bilateral interoperability in the U.S.

07 May 2013

Bahrain Mine Counter-measures Exercise Draws 41 Nations

USS Ponce: Photo credit USN

International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 13 sees a gathering of 35 ships, 18 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) & over 100 explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) divers. Representatives from 41 nations are assembled in Bahrain to prepare for International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 13, May 6-30, 2013, in the Gulf Region. International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 13, is the largest exercise of its kind in the region and will exercise a wide spectrum of defensive operations designed to protect international commerce and trade…

30 Mar 2009

Assessment of USS Hartford and New Orleans

The U.S. Navy submarine and U.S. collided in the Strait of Hormuz March 20, have been undergoing extensive engineering and damage assessments since pulling into Bahrain March 21. Engineering and technical experts arrived in Bahrain to assess the damage to USS Hartford (SSN 768) and USS New Orleans (LPD 18). They will augment Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) Detachment Bahrain. Twelve Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (PHNSY) personnel and two Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) experts are assessing the damage to Hartford and New Orleans and have begun initial in-theater repairs.

05 Aug 2008

SNA Members Visit USS Benfold

USS Benfold (DDG 65) conducted a tour for the Surface Navy Association (SNA) Bahrain Chapter, July 24 highlighting the Navy's ability to search, track, hand-off and intercept ballistic missiles—a core element of our Navy's Ballistic Missile Defense program (BMD). "BMD presents a great opportunity for the surface community to contribute to National Security," said Benfold's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Tom Disy. Benfold's Fire Control Officer, Lt.j.g. Maggie White gave a presentation and guided tour to numerous SNA members, along with U.S. Army Patriot Battalion personnel. "We're at the forefront of BMD technology and capability," she said. Following the tour, SNA members, as well as members of the Benfold wardroom, attended a BMD briefing given to Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S.

29 Feb 2008

MIPS Holds Security Roundtable Discussion

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Experts in maritime infrastructure protection participated in a roundtable discussion, Feb. 27, during a Maritime Infrastructure Protection Symposium (MIPS) hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). A five-member panel with diverse backgrounds in military, government and the private sector fielded questions from MIPS participants ranging from the private sector's role in maritime protection, to security vulnerabilities, to the pros and cons of information sharing. A panel member started the discussion by saying that dealing with asymmetrical threats makes them harder to identify. "We're faced with an enemy that is not organizational, and is not state actors," said Sean Moon, a senior policy advisor with the U.S.

16 Jan 2008

Port Royal and Hopper COs Discuss Incident in Strait of Hormuz

From Commander, U.S. Capt. David Adler, commanding officer of USS Port Royal (CG 73), and Capt. Jeffery James, commanding officer of USS Hopper (DDG 70), met with Middle Eastern and U.S. national media at Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet headquarters Jan. 13 to discuss last week's incident in the Strait of Hormuz. Both commanding officers expressed that the Port Royal and Hopper crews were professional and followed proper procedures when they encountered five Iranian boats maneuvering erratically around the ships. "As we felt the threat rise, we went through our cautionary steps, such as increasing radio queries and using the ship's whistle to warn the boats," Adler said.

08 Jan 2008

Iranian Boats Approach USN Ships

(Source: Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. BAHRAIN (NNS) -- Following a routine transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Jan. 6, three U.S. Navy ships operating in international waters in the Persian Gulf were approached by five Iranian small boats that demonstrated irresponsible confrontational behavior near the U.S. ships, according to the Navy. U.S. Navy ships USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Hopper (DDG 70) and USS Ingraham (FFG 61) were steaming in formation at approximately 8 a.m.

13 Dec 2007

Golden Nori Vessel Released

GULF OF ADEN (NNS) -- Dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) is in the Gulf of Aden standing by to provide assistance to the crew of the Merchant Vessel Golden Nori. The Panamanian-flagged vessel is currently underway after pirates departed the vessel Dec. 12. Somalia-based pirates seized the Golden Nori Oct. 28 and held the 23-man crew hostage in Somali territorial waters. Coalition forces continued to monitor the situation, taking appropriate steps to prevent the pirates from resupplying the vessel.

09 Oct 2003

Commander, Naval Reserve Force Visits NSA Bahrain

By Journalist Seaman Erica R. Gardner, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, U.S. The Navy Reserve’s top leader recently visited the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander 5th Fleet region and spoke with about 150 Reservists serving at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Vice Adm. John Totushek, commander, Naval Reserve Force, headquartered in New Orleans, took a few hours while in theatre to discuss the mission of the Navy Reserves and to highlight his admiration for the work Reservists have done in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Totushek discussed the future of the Navy Reserves and the plan to integrate the service with the active-duty Navy.

23 Mar 2004

USS Yorktown Aids in Tanker Crew’s Rescue

U.S. From Commander, Joint Forces Maritime Component Commander/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. USS Yorktown (CG 48) aided in the recovery of two dozen mariners March 22, after their tanker collided with a fishing vessel and caught fire off the coast of Oman. At approximately 7:30 a.m. local time, motor vessel Everton made a bridge-to-bridge distress call indicating they had collided with fishing vessel Chun Ying, resulting in a fire amidships and possibly rupturing Everton’s oil tanks, fueling the fire.

07 May 2004

Revised Maritime Terminal Protection Procedures

A U.S. Marine stands security watch on the deck of the Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT). U.S. Marines from the 1st Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) Battalion, of Norfolk, Va., are providing extra security along with the Iraqi security teams after an attempted suicide attack on Iraqi oil terminals on April 25th. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Alan D. Monyelle. Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet is taking further steps to increase…

18 Mar 2005

Coalition Maritime Forces Intercept Hijacked Vessel

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Munro (WHEC 724), working with British ships HMS Invincible (R05) and HMS Nottingham (D91) in the Gulf of Aden, intercepted a hijacked Thai fishing vessel at around noon March 17. Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (COMUSNAVCENT) received telephone reports from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, concerning the hijacking of Thai-flagged fishing vessel Sirichai Nava 12 by three Somali crew members the evening of March 16, as well as a fax indicating that the hijackers demanded $800,000 in ransom for the vessel’s crew. Commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 150…

20 Nov 2007

NAVCENT Marks Oil Platforms Upgrades

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Josh Cassatt, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet and Royal Australian Navy Commodore Allan du Toit, commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 158, visited Iraq's Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) Nov. 16, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the implementation of facility upgrades. The most significant improvement on KAAOT was the installation of the Tactical Operations Center (TOC), which will serve as a permanent centralized command and control location to enhance Coalition coordination.

24 Jul 2007

Japanese CNO Visits NAVCENT

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Chief of Maritime Staff Adm. Eiji Yoshikawa and Japanese Ambassador to Bahrain Takeshi Kondo met with Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT)/Commander U.S. 5th Fleet on July 11. The visit began with a luncheon held at NAVCENT to welcome Yoshikawa and was followed up with a tour of other commands on the installation, such as the Coalition Coordination Center, Combined Forces Maritime Component Command (CFMCC), where the Japanese senior national representative, Cmdr. Kenji Sugahara, works. A Japanese forward-deployed ship for Operation Enduring Freedom, JDS Suzunami (DD 114), assisted in a rescue at sea in the Gulf of Oman on July 12 at the request of Combined Task Force 150.

02 Aug 2007

French Navy Hands Command of CTF 150 to Pakistan

Pakistani Commodore Khan Hasham Bin Saddique, Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff and French Rear Admiral Alain Hinden salute their flags during the Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 change of command ceremony. The ceremony marks the second time Pakistan takes the helm of CTF-150 and marks the conclusion of France’s fourth time leading the Coalition task force. CTF-150, established near the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, conducts Maritime Operations (MO) in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. U.S. By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Hamilton, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Pakistani Commodore Khan Hasham Bin Siddique relieved French Rear Adm.

24 Aug 2007

Coalition Forces Provide Assistance to Danish Merchant Vessel

Two Coalition ships from Combined Task Force (CTF 150), French Warship Commandant Blaison (F 793) and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), provided assistance to Danish merchant vessel Danica White following its release from Somali pirates Aug. 22. Blaison rendezvoused with Danica White at approximately 6 p.m. and was subsequently joined by Arleigh Burke in international waters off the coast of Somalia. The coalition ships are escorting Danica White to its next port to ensure it arrives safely. Pirates took control of Danica White off the coast of Somalia in early June. CTF 150 provides the tactical direction for Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.