US Vice Admiral says partner efforts flourished under Egypt’s leadership

CAIRO - 13 June 2023: Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of United States Naval Forces Central Command, has applauded the Egyptian leading role in maintaining regional security in the Red Sea in a Tuesday article.

Egypt has led the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) operational staff for six months. Last year, Egypt launched Combined Task Force 153 as part of CMF to focus on the Red Sea.

“[Egypt’s] sailors have demonstrated remarkable professionalism at every step, and U.S. 5th Fleet along with the entire multinational CMF staff couldn’t be more honored and proud to have witnessed their historic success," Cooper said in his article. 

In April 2023, Egypt launched Combined Task Force 153 to enhance regional maritime security cooperation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden.

“Partner efforts have flourished under Egypt’s leadership,” Cooper commented on the task force. 

Egypt joined CMF as one of 38 nations in a 2021 naval partnership. 

“The Egyptian Navy’s groundbreaking command of Task Force 153 has made our ties even stronger. Egypt’s contributions to safeguarding against smugglers, traffickers, and pirates is crucial to global commerce,” wrote Cooper.

More than 100 Egyptian Sailors have trained with their U.S. counterparts across the region, according to the article. The U.S. also transferred three patrol craft to Egypt. 

In 2021, Egypt joined the U.S. Navy in eight naval exercises. In 2022, major engagements  of the two countries rose to 13, including “an unprecedented joint patrol in the Red Sea with ENS Alexandria (F 911), USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and a U.S. Navy surface drone.”

Cooper finished the article by saying that the two countries' security "is tied to the sea and each other, which is why our nations remain deeply committed to advancing maritime security cooperation together, as partners and as leaders."