Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) has appointed a new Commander, following a change of command ceremony held at the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain on 6 May 2018.
Vice Admiral Scott A. Stearney relieved Vice Admiral John C. Aquilino, who served as commander of CMF, US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and US 5th Fleet (C5F) since September 2017. During his tenure, Aquilino led more than 20,000 US and coalition Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians in Maritime Security Operations to ensure the free flow of commerce, build and expand maritime partnerships and deter potential adversaries in one of the world’s most critical maritime regions.
Vice Adm. Scott Stearney (left) relieves Vice Adm. John Aquilino (right) as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces during the change of command ceremony held aboard Naval Support Activity, Bahrain
Stearney, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, expressed his readiness to lead the team and work together to accomplish the mission. He said: “I fully intend to carry on the many efforts for building partnerships, interoperability and cooperation between the US Navy and the many allied and partner nations from the Arabian Gulf, and beyond, who do so much to keep conflict out of the maritime and promote security and stability.”
Stearney joins the CMF team after recently serving as the Director of Operations, US Central Command.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 