RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , Oct. 3, 2019 —
Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, travelled to Riyadh to meet with Vice Admiral Fahad al Ghofaily, Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), and U.S. Ambassador John Abizaid, Sept. 29, 2019.
The visit, following a Sept. 14 attack on Saudi facilities, focused on RSNF’s lead role in regional efforts to strengthen and reinforce defenses against Iranian aggression.
“Engaging and operating closely with regional counterparts is essential to maintain deterrence,” said Malloy. “Saudi Arabia has been a key ally in promoting regional security, and Vice Admiral Gofaily’s leadership and partnership is key as we coordinate defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as all regional partners and those nations across the globe who rely on maritime commerce in and out of the Middle East. This visit was an opportunity to discuss our mutual efforts going forward to coordinate defense against provocation and attack.”
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.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit www.cusnc.navy.mil/
