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Sept. 16, 2025

Qatar Assumes Command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 152

MANAMA, Bahrain –The Qatar Emiri Navy assumed command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Arabian Gulf security and cooperation task force during a change of command ceremony, presided over by Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Sept. 15. Commodore Mohammad Alarefi of the Kuwait Naval Force turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 to Qatari Brigadier General Hamad Saleh Al-Ahwal.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Stephen Lightfoot, right, the commanding general of Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, gives opening remarks for the command post exercise during BRIGHT STAR 25 at Mohamed Naguib Military Base (MNMB), Egypt, Sept. 1, 2025. Exercise BRIGHT STAR 25 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) command-post exercise, field training exercise and senior leader seminar, held in the Arab Republic of Egypt along with other partner nations. Participation strengthens military-to-military relationships between U.S. forces and our Egyptian partners in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility, as well as other participating nations. The exercise enhances regional security and stability by responding to modern-day security scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Angela Wilcox)

Sept. 12, 2025

Bright Star 25: Task Force 51/5 Kicks Off Command Post Exercise in Egypt

ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT — Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt - U.S. Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) launches a two-week multinational Command Post Exercise (CPX) as part of Exercise BRIGHT STAR 25.

ERSS 9 team members Lt. j.g. Erin Moore, Lt. Cmdr. Brent Buccine, CDR Jacob Adam’s, and CDR John Maddox demonstrate role 2 trauma and assessment capabilities during Operation Bright Star 25, Mohamed Najuib Military Base, Egypt, Sep. 4, 2025. The BRIGHT STAR exercise enhances readiness and builds our partners’ capacity to operate seamlessly together, while improving interoperability in a joint operations environment. (U.S. Central Command photo by Maged Benjamin-Elias)

Sept. 12, 2025

U.S. and Kyrgyz Medical Teams Sharpen Expeditionary Care Skills at Bright Star 25

MOHAMED NAGUIB MILITARY BASE, Egypt – U.S. Navy medical personnel and members of the Kyrgyz Republic Armed Forces conducted joint medical training during Exercise Bright Star 2025, focusing on expeditionary surgical techniques, blood transfusion programs, and field hospital operations.

Egyptian armed forces service members working shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. Marines during Exercise BRIGHT STAR 25’s Command Post Exercise, Mohamed Naguib Military Base (MNMB), Egypt, Sept. 7, 2025. Bright Star 25 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) command-post exercise, held in the Arab Republic of Egypt along with other partner nations. The exercise enhances regional security and stability by responding to modern day security scenarios. (U.S. Central Command photo by Maged Benjamin-Elias)

Sept. 12, 2025

Bright Star 2025 Command Post Exercise Strengthens U.S.-Egyptian Partnership and Readiness

MOHAMED NAGUIB MILITARY BASE, Egypt — U.S. Marines and sailors from Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, working alongside the Egyptian armed forces, stood shoulder to shoulder on the watch floor during the command post exercise of Bright Star 25. Together, they designed and war-gamed responses to a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief scenario in a notional country, sharpening crisis-response capabilities and strengthening interoperability. Each day, a brigadier general from both the Egyptian and U.S. sides received situational updates from the combined staff, who integrated modern planning tools such as information operations and unmanned aerial systems. These updates tested decision-making and ensured both militaries could seamlessly coordinate in responding to complex operational challenges.

Sept. 12, 2025

Rescue Ready: U.S. and Egyptian service members conduct CSAR SME Exchange

ALMAZA AIR BASE, EGYPT – U.S. Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialists, assigned to the Joint Personnel Recovery Center, took part in a combat search and rescue subject matter expert exchange with service members from partner nations during BRIGHT STAR 25 at Almaza Air Base, Egypt, Aug. 30-31, 2025.

Lt. Gen. Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, center, inspects the BRIGHT STAR 2025 preparations, at the Command Post Exercise, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Alexandria, Egypt, Aug 26, 2025. BRIGHT STAR 25 enhances joint readiness and reinforces partner nations’ ability to integrate seamlessly in complex operational environments. By aligning tactics, techniques and procedures, U.S. and partner forces increase their capacity to deter aggression, improving lethality, confidence, and cohesion among multinational service members. (Courtesy photo Department of Morale Affairs, Egyptian Armed Forces – Caption writer, U.S. Central Command Maged Benjamin-Elias)

Sept. 2, 2025

Bright Star 25: U.S. and Egypt Launch One of the World’s Largest Multinational Military Exercises

EGYPT — Bright Star 25, the multinational military exercise co-hosted by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Egyptian Armed Forces through the Egyptian Training Authority, officially commenced today with a ceremonial opening at Mohamed Naguib Military Base. The exercise brings together forces from across the globe, underscoring the United States’ enduring commitment to working alongside Egypt and partner nations to strengthen collective security and promote regional stability.

MANAMA, Bahrain (Aug. 19, 2025) Left to right, United Kingdom Royal Navy Commodore Ben Aldous, deputy commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), U.S. Navy Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of CMF, and Royal Saudi Navy Commodore Fahad Al Joaid, incoming commander of CTF 150, render honors during a change-of-command ceremony in Manama, Bahrain. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

Aug. 20, 2025

Saudi Arabia Assumes Command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 150

MANAMA, Bahrain — The Royal Saudi Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force 150, a multinational maritime task force, from the Royal New Zealand Navy during a change of command ceremony, presided over by U.S. Navy Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Aug. 19. Royal New Zealand Navy Commodore Rodger Ward turned over command to Royal Saudi Navy Commodore Fahad S. Al Joaid.

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Aug. 10, 2025

USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group arrives in Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain — Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, and destroyers USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) arrived in Manama, Bahrain, for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 10.

In May, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) hired Mr. Cyrus Jabbari to serve as the organization’s Chief Data Officer (CDO). As the CDO, Mr. Jabbari succeeds Dr. Michael Foster, who departed CENTCOM in December 2024, and will oversee the strategic integration of data-driven solutions to enhance operational effectiveness across CENTCOM’s area of responsibility. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs courtesy photo)

July 15, 2025

CENTCOM Introduces Cyrus Jabbari as New Chief Data Officer

TAMPA, Fla. — In May, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) hired Mr. Cyrus Jabbari to serve as the organization’s Chief Data Officer (CDO). As the CDO, Mr. Jabbari succeeds Dr. Michael Foster, who departed CENTCOM in December 2024, and will oversee the strategic integration of data-driven solutions to enhance operational effectiveness across CENTCOM’s area of responsibility.

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Zachary McBride with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group gives a demonstration on proper CPR techniques to Jordanian personnel with the Royal Medical Service during a medical education class as part of exercise Native Fury 25 in Jordan, June 30, 2025. Native Fury 25 is a biannual exercise focused on the demonstration of the rapid offload and integration of a Maritime Prepositioned Force in the U.S. Central Command area of operations in support of regional security, crisis response, and contingency operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella Ramos)

July 11, 2025

Forging Strength Through Partnership: U.S. and Jordan Launch Native Fury 25

AMMAN, Jordan — Against the backdrop of desert terrain and fortified training zones, the roar of helicopters, the rumble of armored vehicles, and the sharp cadence of boots on gravel signaled the beginning of Exercise Native Fury 25—a powerful demonstration of unity, strength, and strategic readiness between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.