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The guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay cuts through the Strait of Hormuz, April 7, 2019.

Esper: Operation Sentinel Prevents Escalation of Middle East Waterways Conflict

By C. Todd Lopez | July 24, 2019

Just three hours into his new job, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper met with reporters at the Pentagon to discuss Iran, China and the proposed defense budget.

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Feb. 5, 2026

U.S. Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces Conclude Exercise Indigo Defender

Feb. 5, 2026

USS Delbert D. Black Departs Israel Following Port Visit

Feb. 3, 2026

MARCENT Hosts Lebanese Armed Forces for Security Summit

Jan. 27, 2026

AFCENT to Conduct Readiness Exercise, Generate Combat Airpower

Jan. 13, 2026

Blue Sands 26.1 Fortifies Integrated Air Defense and C-UAS Capabilities Across AFCENT

Jan. 8, 2026

Soldiers, Airmen Increase Sustainment Mission Capabilities

Dec. 16, 2025

332nd AEW Rolls Towards Modernization with New Vehicle Fleet

Dec. 11, 2025

U.S. and Israeli Navies Conclude Exercise Intrinsic Defender

Nov. 22, 2025

U.S., Qatar and Allies Enhance Regional Defense during Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6

Nov. 19, 2025

Royal Saudi Land Forces Complete Historic Training Rotation in U.S.

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Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis are cut-off from Iran's weapons supply and support. https://t.co/zDVjaIhP5X

Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, will provide testimony on CENTCOM's posture to the House Armed Services Committee this morning. 🔴 Watch Live: https://t.co/YkPiAT7qd7 https://t.co/mDwLPTkuwU

Thousands of brave Americans in uniform continue to serve across the Middle East. https://t.co/bII3q2H5lL

U.S. Sailors stand watch in the combat information center aboard USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) as the ship transits the Arabian Sea supporting the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran. As of May 18, CENTCOM forces have redirected 84 commercial vessels and disabled 4. https://t.co/cLgRj5dL1a

An F-35 stealth fighter is refueled during a routine patrol over regional waters in the Middle East. https://t.co/i1SGuSegqj

U.S. Sailors support flight operations aboard aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) sailing in the Arabian Sea. Every operational success across CENTCOM begins and ends with America’s men and women in uniform. https://t.co/PjmByqI4jC

A U.S. Sailor stands watch on the bridge of USS Tripoli (LHA 7) while transiting the Arabian Sea. The Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group is enforcing the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of May 17, U.S. forces have redirected 81 commercial vessels and disabled 4 to ensure compliance. https://t.co/X2jDS0QFTA

U.S. Air Force maintainers work on a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft. Refueling aircraft extend the operational reach of U.S. military assets employed across the Middle East. https://t.co/yVTyN9Blie

A U.S. Army helicopter observes commercial ships while flying over regional waters near the Strait of Hormuz during U.S. enforcement of the maritime blockade against Iran. As of May 16, 78 commercial ships have been redirected, and 4 have been disabled to ensure compliance. https://t.co/VYV8idzhuU

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B aircraft take off from USS Tripoli (LHA 7) as the ship transits the Arabian Sea. The F-35B variant has short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities that enable the stealth fighter to operate from the U.S. Navy’s largest amphibious ships. https://t.co/f51maPQ7m1

An MH-60R Sea Hawk takes off from the flight deck of USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) transiting the Arabian Sea as American forces enforce a maritime blockade against Iran. As of today, 75 commercial vessels have been redirected and 4 have been disabled to ensure compliance. https://t.co/7wKCJXLqsf

A U.S. Air Force F-16 takes off from a base in the Middle East for a night flight. Air Force fighter aircraft regularly patrol the skies over the Middle East in support of regional security. https://t.co/R31LyqUVrP

U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit rappel out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk during scheduled training aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7). Tripoli is one of more than 20 warships supporting the U.S. blockade against Iran. Since the start of the blockade, CENTCOM forces have https://t.co/07ERp8RVB1

Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, will provide testimony on CENTCOM's posture this morning. https://t.co/USEar36CiX

U.S. Sailors perform routine maintenance on MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters in the hangar bay of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), May 9. https://t.co/jq4rn5rwFz

A U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighter jet patrols over regional waters near the Strait of Hormuz. The F-35A can carry up to 18,000 pounds of ordnance while still flying at supersonic speeds. https://t.co/VGVOPHmTFQ

F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers launch from the flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as it transits the Arabian Sea, May 9. https://t.co/vlebVVGRKy

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) continues operations in the Arabian Sea, including enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran. CENTCOM forces have redirected 65 commercial vessels and disabled 4. https://t.co/5eV9g0CTLy

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer flies over the Middle East during a training mission, May 9. https://t.co/GNyjNgFSEj

USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) monitors regional waters as it transits the Arabian Sea during enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran. CENTCOM forces have redirected 62 commercial ships and disabled 4 to ensure compliance. https://t.co/Qw5QrTUn5R

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