#1 USNAVCENT surface forces also held joint naval and air integration operations with AC-130W Stinger II gunships, assigned to U.S. Special Ops Command Central (USSOCCENT), March 8 and 9. “Working with USARCENT forces represents another key capability in our ongoing integration of naval and air assets across our joint and coalition force to ensure maritime superiority,” said Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, commander, USNAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet. ...
The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations totals about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse touches 20 countries and three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern tip of Yemen. |