The Israeli Navy Participates in the Largest International Naval Exercise:

The Israeli Navy participated in the world's largest international naval exercise, “IMX” (International Maritime Exercise), for the first time. The exercise, which was led by the U.S. Fifth Fleet with the participation of 60 international navies, took place in the Red Sea and ​​Bahrain’s naval zone in the Gulf.

The exercise opened with a ceremony led by the Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Admiral ( * * * ) Brad Cooper. In attendance were officers from the Israeli Navy.

During the exercise, the Israeli Navy’s Underwater Missions Unit trained alongside its counterparts from the U.S. Fifth Fleet. The exercise focused on naval search and rescue efforts and neutralizing naval mines. At the same time, an Israeli Navy missile ship and the 915th Fleet drilled rescue and medical emergency scenarios in the northern Red Sea and the Gulf of Eilat alongside the Coast Guard of the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

The emergency and routine training scenarios demonstrate the strategic and operational cooperation with the U.S. Fifth Fleet and is another expression of the expanding international cooperation of the Israeli Navy.

Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy Vadm. David Saar Salama: “The Israeli Navy’s participation in the ‘IMX’ international naval exercise, led by the U.S. Fifth Fleet, illustrates the growing relationship between our two fleets. This relationship is based on fortitude, shared learning and strategic cooperation. Our work with our American partners helps us to prevent terrorism in the naval arena while strengthening regional maritime security. I look forward to continuing to develop and deepen our partnership.”

Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Admiral ( * * * ) Brad Cooper: “This joint exercise demonstrates our determination to defend international law and order together. The ‘IMX’ is a special opportunity to broaden and strengthen our maritime partnership.” 

In the last six months, following the transition of the Israeli Navy to NAVCENT, a number of joint training and exercises have taken place. In addition, there have been a variety of visits between officers from the Israeli Navy and the U.S. Fifth Fleet. The Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Admiral ( * * * ) Brad Cooper, has visited Israel three times in this timeframe. The Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy, Vadm. David Saar Salama, visited the U.S. Fifth Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain this past month.