MANAMA, Bahrain (Nov. 6, 2026) — Combined Maritime Forces’ Qatar-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 hosted Exercise Silent Sentinel II to explore how uncrewed systems can improve maritime security and strengthen cooperation among maritime partners, Nov. 2–3.

The two-day program was designed to combine expert briefings, exchanges of experience and capability demonstrations, to help partners understand uncrewed technology and its potential to improve awareness of activity at sea.

The program included plans to discuss legal considerations for using uncrewed systems in maritime security operations, learn from industry and exchange knowledge on emerging capabilities.

Silent Sentinel II built on an inaugural exercise, also led by CTF 152, which brought together capability briefings, demonstrations and scenario development, Nov. 5-6.

The exercise supported CTF’s wider focus on developing uncrewed capabilities and improving awareness of activity at sea through partnership and shared learning.

Established in March 2004, CTF 152 is one of five task forces operated by CMF. It enhances regional maritime cooperation focusing on illicit non-state actors in the Arabian Gulf, especially between Gulf Cooperation Council nations.

CMF, headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world, with 47 nations committed to upholding the international rules-based order at sea. It promotes security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.