US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) has delivered three Cyclone-class coastal patrol vessels to the Egyptian Navy.
A transfer ceremony was held in Alexandria at the conclusion of training and professional exchanges to bolster interoperability between the US and Egyptian navies.
‘A Fundamental Pillar’
The ships turned over include the USS Hurricane (PC 3), USS Sirocco (PC 6), and USS Thunderbolt (PC 12).
The vessels traveled from Bahrain, passing the Arabian Peninsula over a month-long journey.
US and Egyptian sailors navigated coastal patrols along the 4,000-mile (6,400 kilometers) transit to Alexandria during delivery.
The voyage included port visits to Jebel Ali in UAE, Duqm in Oman, Djibouti, and Berenice in Egypt.
“The Egypt-US maritime partnership has been a fundamental pillar of our bilateral defense cooperation for decades,” NAVCENT, US Navy 5th Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces Commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated.
“This transfer is yet another major milestone in our strong relationship that will enhance regional maritime security for years to come.”
Improved Bilateral Cooperation
Upon the arrival of the patrol vessels, the US and Egyptian navies continued training in search and rescue, damage control, engineering, and weapons handling.
“This transfer process was an incredible opportunity for our crews,” US Navy 5th Fleet Task Force 55 Commander Capt. Anthony Webber said.
“It enabled us to strengthen our bilateral ties while enhancing our interoperability with a highly capable regional maritime partner.”
Middle East Maritime Security
The Egyptian Navy currently commands Combined Task Force 153, one of four multinational maritime security groups led by the Combined Maritime Forces.
The task force operates to maintain regional security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandeb.
NAVCENT and Combined Maritime Forces are based in Manama, Bahrain. They are teamed with maritime forces in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and critical choke points in the Bab al-Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, and Suez Canal.