Oct. 19, 2022
Release Number 20221019-09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OMAN – On Oct. 18, at the Al Murtafa'a Garrison in Muscat, Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, met Air Vice Marshal Khamis Hammad Al Ghafri, commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman and Dr. Mohammed al Zaabi, Secretary General of the Oman Ministry of Defense. The engagement was Kurilla’s second visit here in the past five months.
The leaders spoke about matters of importance to both militaries, including opportunities to strengthen security cooperation through training and partnered exercises.
“These areas allow us to strengthen our relations while bolstering regional security,” Kurilla said. “I see only tremendous opportunity in our partnership with the Sultan’s Armed Forces.”
Kurilla thanked the Omani leaders for Oman’s role in the release earlier this month of Baquer Namazi, an Iranian American wrongly detained in Iran for seven years. The role the Sultanate of Oman played was critical in arranging his flight out of Iran.
“USCENTCOM’s strategic approach is summarized by people, partners, and innovation. One of our most reliable partners is right here in Oman. We are grateful for Oman’s continued support of stability and security in the region,” Kurilla said.
The partnership with Oman, inaugurated by a treaty in 1833, is the oldest and longest-enduring U.S. military partnership in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility.
The Royal Navy of Oman is also a participant in the Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest maritime partnership, headquartered in Bahrain. Through the CMF, Oman supports the rules-based international order in the Arabian Sea.
-30-