A screenshot of a video showing fast-attack craft from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy swarming Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi as it transits the Strait of Hormuz, May 3, 2023. US Navy Photo
U.S. 5th Fleet, along with other allies in the Middle East, will increase the number of ships and aircraft patrolling the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s recent seizures of merchant vessels, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command announced Friday. Read More
Sailors assigned to guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) prepare to depart Manama, Bahrain, during a sea and anchor detail on March 21, 2021. US Navy photo
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command held a two-day mental health stand down in Bahrain, the Navy announced Thursday. Read More
Chinese sailors watch a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) pull into Djibouti. Xinhua Photo
The head of naval forces in the Middle East said Chinese actions in the region don’t pose a threat today but could lead to challenges down the road, with China laying the groundwork to gain economic and military leverage over countries in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Read More
Then-Rear Adm. Jim Malloy, commander of Carrier Strike Group 10 in 2016. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated to include Vice Adm. Malloy’s confirmation by the Senate.
The Senate has confirmed an admiral with extensive Middle East experience to lead the U.S. Navy’s forces in U.S. Central Command after being nominated on the same day. Read More
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran speaks to sailors during an all-hands call at Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae, Korea on Sept. 11, 2018. US Navy Photo
The Navy’s number-two is on his way to the U.S. naval base in Bahrain following the Saturday death of U.S. 5th Fleet commander Vice. Adm. Scott Stearney. Read More
French Rear Adm. Olivier Lebas, right, commander, Task Force 473, speaks with Rear Adm. James Malloy, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, on the aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91). US Navy photo.
A Navy vice admiral has landed in Bahrain on temporary duty with U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, after the previous commander was found dead in his home over the weekend from an apparent suicide. Read More
F-35B Lightning II, attached to the “Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, sit on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) on Sept. 4, 2018, while transiting the Indian Ocean with San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during a regularly scheduled deployment of Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Essex ARG and 13th MEU is the first U.S. Navy/Marine Corps team to deploy to U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations with the F-35B Lightning II. US Navy photo.
The Marine Corps’ F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters are the only ship-based fixed-wing aircraft in the Middle East right now, and service leaders say the new jets are ready to handle any fight in Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan they may be tasked with. Read More
A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), lands aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) in Mediterranean Sea during exercise Juniper Cobra 2018. US Marine Corps photo.
This post has been updated to include additional information from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
All U.S. military air operations in Djibouti are on hold and an exercise taking place in and around Djibouti has been canceled following two aviation mishaps on Tuesday. Read More
Iran Fast Attack Craft. Fars News Agency Photo
This post has been updated with an additional statement from U.S. 5th Fleet.
An Iranian admiral now says the country’s slow-down in sending small patrol boats to harass U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf was spurred by what he describes as a change in U.S. behavior but doesn’t address the uptick in Iran’s drone flights in the region. Read More
An undated picture of an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy patrol craft.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Iranian drones have become increasingly active in the Persian Gulf and other critical waterways around the Middle East, regularly conducting surveillance flights close to U.S. warships crossing the Strait of Hormuz and operating around the region, a defense official told USNI News on Friday. Read More
