US Naval Forces Monitor Iranian Ships at Strait of Hormuz

Seven U.S. 5th Fleet task forces have combined manned and unmanned platforms to monitor Iranian naval ships at the Strait of Hormuz as part of enhanced maritime security operations around the Arabian Peninsula.

During the September operations, 12 unmanned underwater, surface and aerial platforms were paired with crewed ships and aircraft to increase deterrence against malicious activities. Over the previous months, Iran has seized internationally flagged merchant vessels at a critical choke point at the strait, which links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, Navy .mil reported.

Capt. Joe Baggett, director of maritime operations for the Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet, said future operations are expected to also deploy both manned and unmanned platforms, noting that UAVs and UUVs were integrated with traditional fleet operations in previous maritime missions. 

According to Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet, combining the latest unmanned platforms into routine fleet operations enhances maritime domain awareness in the region.