USS Nimitz, USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) in Arabian Sea to provide cover for U.S. troop withdrawals
27 November, Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Carrier Air Wing 17 conducted flight operations in the Arabian Sea.
The USS Nimitz is being moved back into the Persian Gulf region along with other warships to provide combat support and air cover as US troops withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan by January 15 under President Trump’s orders a defense official told CNN.
Acting Secretary of Defense visited NSA Bahrain Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Riggs, U.S. 5th Fleet reported 25 November.
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Miller met with Vice Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) to discuss ongoing operations and partnerships in the region.
During his tour, Miller visited NAVCENT’s headquarters and forward-deployed naval forces at the waterfront, including coastal patrol ships, mine countermeasure ships and MK VI patrol craft.
During his final stop on base, he served Thanksgiving dinner to Sailors and Marines before sitting down with them to discuss their experiences while serving in Bahrain.
The visit highlighted the role of NAVCENT/5th Fleet’s operations to the U.S. national defense strategy as well as the longstanding partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and U.S. Navy.
The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.