Sept. 26, 2025

W.Va., Qatar Military Leaders Elevate Partnerships; NATO interoperability, global burden sharing, aviation platforms discussed

West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) Adjutant General James “Jim” Seward traveled to Doha, Qatar, this week to meet with Qatar Armed Forces (QAF) counterparts as part of a series of key leader engagements meant to reinforce and elevate the relationships built between the militaries since their National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP) pairing was formalized in 2018. “Qatar has been an anchor of U.S. friendship and presence in the region," Seward said. “West Virginia is honored to champion bilateral and multilateral priority efforts for our two nations as we share a common interest in prevailing against complex regional security challenges and increasing interoperability on a global stage.”

Sept. 19, 2025

Yemeni Commander Highlights Return to Bright Star 2025, Emphasizes Regional Security

MOHAMED NAGUIB MILITARY BASE, Egypt — Maj. Gen. Ismail Zahzouh, commander of Yemen’s Special Operations Forces, said his country’s participation in Bright Star 2025 marks both a return to international cooperation and a commitment to regional and maritime security. “Yemen’s participation in Bright Star means a lot — beyond gaining expertise and skills and working side by side with many friendly and brotherly nations,” Zahzouh said during an interview at the exercise. “It also means Yemen is emerging from the situation imposed on it in recent years and returning to its rightful place within the region and the international community.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.