Dec. 22, 2021

U.S. Navy Seizes 1,400 Assault Rifles During Illicit Weapons Interdiction

MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. 5th Fleet ships seized approximately 1,400 AK-47 assault rifles and 226,600 rounds of ammunition from a stateless fishing vessel during a flag verification boarding in accordance with customary international law in the North Arabian Sea, Dec. 20.

Dec. 21, 2021

Iraqi Air Force airlift capability supports defeat Daesh mission

ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, KUWAIT — The Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) completed a strategic airlift mission from Kuwait to Iraq, carrying critical cargo for Iraq Ministry of Defense agencies Dec. 13, 2021. The airlift demonstrated Iraq’s capability to contribute to regional security and stability by working with multiple countries to get the mission done.

Dec. 20, 2021

RSAF, USAF conduct combined operations in KSA

KING FAHAD AIR BASE, SAUDI ARABIA — In the desert skies above Taif’s King Fahad Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing integrated with Royal Saudi Air Forces to execute a combined training exercise. Conducting combined air-to-air training, the exercise allowed both nations to further cultivate strong relationships and better integrate capabilities to deter regional aggressors.

Dec. 16, 2021

U.S. Navy Rescues Mariners Smuggling Illicit Drugs

MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. Navy personnel rescued five mariners Dec. 15 after a fire caused an explosion aboard their vessel, which was smuggling illicit drugs while transiting the Gulf of Oman.

Dec. 15, 2021

USS Portland Tests High Energy Laser Weapon System in Gulf of Aden

MANAMA, Bahrain — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducted a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden.

Dec. 13, 2021

NAVCENT Launches Saildrone in Gulf of Aqaba for Exercise Digital Horizon

GULF OF AQABA — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) began operationally testing a new unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Gulf of Aqaba, Dec. 12, as part of an initiative to integrate new unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into U.S. 5th Fleet operations.

Dec. 8, 2021

Space Force Guardians Serve at Al Dhafra

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Mixed in amongst the Air Force blue at Al Dhafra Air Base, a small handful of Space Force Guardians are supporting the mission of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, adding a little space power to the air power excellence of the Wing.

Dec. 8, 2021

U.S. Navy Opens New Interagency Counter Narcotics Facility in Bahrain

MANAMA, BAHRAIN — Leaders from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 8 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain for a new facility that will enable interagency partners to share information for countering drug trafficking in the Middle East region.

Dec. 7, 2021

Al Dhafra SFS Defends Against Potential UAS Threat

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Specialists with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron not only provide base defense at Al Dhafra Air Base from traditional ground-based threats, but are also on alert for threats posed by Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Dec. 1, 2021

PWD Bahrain commemorates Bahraini Women’s Day

BAHRAIN — The Kingdom of Bahrain celebrates Bahraini Women's Day each Dec. 1 to commemorate the achievements and creative contribution made by women to the development and progress of Bahrain. It highlights the importance and important role played by women in public life. Public Works Department (PWD), Naval Support Activity Bahrain, is joining this celebration by specifically highlighting the contributions of six Bahraini women-members of their team.