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April 16, 2021

AMDEX 21-02 tests AFCENT, partner defense readiness

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) kicked off Air and Missile Defense Exercise 21-02, a U.S.-led event that improves tactics, techniques and procedures against simulated air and missile threats and strengthens distributed operations capabilities, April 12, 2021.

210413-N-MD713-2029 ARABIAN SEA (April 13, 2021) - U.S. Navy F/A-18F and F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jets, an E-2C Hawkeye tactical airborne early warning aircraft and French Marine Nationale Dassault Rafale fighter jets fly in formation over the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), during dual carrier operations with the aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91) in the Arabian Sea, April 13. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cameron Pinske)

April 15, 2021

U.S., French Carrier Strike Groups Conduct Dual Carrier Operations in 5th Fleet

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN — The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), began dual-carrier flight operations with the French Navy (Marine Nationale) Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group in the Arabian Sea, April 13.

210411-N-AY174-1086 DUQM (April 11, 2021) - Vice Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces speaks with Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during a sustainment and logistics visit in Duqm, Oman, April 11. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brianna T. Thompson-Lee)

April 12, 2021

Ships of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Conduct Port Visit in Duqm

The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), flagship of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), and guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) conducted a scheduled port visit in support of logistics and maintenance in Duqm, Oman, April 10-12. While this was a working port visit, crew members had an opportunity to rest and unwind in a designated liberty area on the pier. These activities were planned and carried out in full compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Defense (DOD) and host nation COVID-19 mitigation measures.

Royal Bahrain Naval Force fast attack craft RBNS Abdul Rahman Al-fadel (P 22), Bahrain Coast Guard response boats Hawar 5 and Hawar 4, U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72), patrol coastal ships USS Squall (PC 7) and USS Hurricane (PC 3), U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Adak (WBP 1333) and two Mark VI patrol boats operate in formation during exercise Neon Defender in the Arabian Gulf, April 7. Neon Defender 21 is a bilateral maritime exercise between the U.S. and Bahrain, designed to enhance interoperability and readiness, fortify military-to-military relationships and advance operational capabilities, allowing participating naval forces to effectively develop the necessary skills to address threats to regional security, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce. (Army Photo by Spc. Evens Milcette Jr.)

April 8, 2021

Bahrain, U.S. Forces Complete Exercise Neon Defender 21

The Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) conducted bi-lateral maritime exercise Neon Defender (ND) 21 at sea in the Arabian Gulf and on land in the Kingdom of Bahrain, April 3-7.

210402-N-MD713-1058 SUEZ CANAL (April 2, 2021) The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) transits the Suez Canal, April 2. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cameron Pinske)

April 3, 2021

Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Enters 5th Fleet

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN — The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), flagship of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), along with guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) and guided-missile destroyers USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), completed a southbound Suez Canal transit into the Red Sea, April 2.

Operation Inherent Resolve; carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)

March 31, 2021

IKE Supports OIR from Eastern Mediterranean

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN — Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group began flight operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, March 31, 2021.

La mission CLEMENCEAU 21 est composée de plusieurs phases. La deuxième phase initiale en mer Rouge, océan Indien et Golfe arabo-persique permet aux escorteurs français Frégate de défense aérienne (FDA) Chevalier Paul, Frégate multi-missions (FREMM) Provence, Bâtiment de commandement et de ravitaillement (BCR) Var et allié (frégate belge Léopold 1er) d’assurer la présence française dans des zones stratégiques, de contribuer à l’appréciation autonome de situation et de lutter contre le terrorisme isl © Marine nationale / Défense

March 23, 2021

France, Belgium, Japan and U.S. Forces Complete Group Arabian Sea Warfare Exercise

France, Belgium, Japan and U.S. forces conducted a Group Arabian Sea Warfare Exercise (GASWEX) in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, March 19-22. Led by the French Marine Nationale’s Charles De Gaulle carrier strike group, this combined, multilateral surface, air and sub-surface training is the first major multilateral exercise conducted since commencing their Clemenceau 21 deployment in February.

Sailors assigned to guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) prepare to depart Manama, Bahrain, during a sea and anchor detail, March 21. Philippine Sea is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce.

March 22, 2021

USS Philippine Sea Returns to Sea Fully Mission Capable

Following an unscheduled port visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) has returned to sea fully mission capable, Mar. 21.

210314-N-JC800-1400 RED SEA (March 14, 2021) – U.S. Navy Capt. Dave Kurtz, commanding officer of amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), observes Egyptian guided-missile frigate ENS Sharm El Sheikh (FFG 901) during a passing exercise in the Red Sea, March 14. Somerset, part of the Makin island Amphibious Ready Group, and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Heath Zeigler)

March 18, 2021

Egyptian ENS Sharm El-Sheikh, USS Somerset Perform Passing Exercise

RED SEA — The Egyptian guided-missile frigate ENS Sharm El-Sheikh (FFG 901) and U.S. amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX), March 14.

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 aircraft provides fuel to a French Air Force Rafale aircraft participating in Exercise Sky Shield II, March 3rd, 2021. Exercise Sky Shield II brought together members of the United States Air Force, Qatar Emiri Air Force and the French Air Force to demonstrate their enduring and resolute partnership, and to demonstrate the promise for future interoperability throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Harrison)

March 16, 2021

Sky Shield II enables further interoperability training

AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR — Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, 380th AEW, 332nd AEW, Qatar Emiri Air Force and French Air Force participated in Exercise Sky Shield II at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, March 1-3, 2021. The exercise allowed members from all three coalition nations to practice air-to-air refueling with members from the 380th AEW while continuing to work on the Defensive Counter-Air Combat Patrol (DCA CAP) procedures learned in the first exercise conducted in December of 2020.