Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF), Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, paid a visit Wednesday to the US Naval Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) in Jufair, where he met the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd James Austin III, in the presence of Minister of Defense Affairs, Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi.

The two sides reviewed the existing cooperation and friendship relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America, Bahrain News agency (BNA) reported.

The BDF Chief affirmed the depth of the long-standing relations between the two friendly countries, hailing their steady progress at all levels, especially in the military and defense fields, to achieve the two countries’ common interests.

The Commander-in-Chief highlighted the concerted noble efforts exerted by the BDF personnel, along with the forces of friendly countries, to carry out humanitarian and relief operations at the international level, through facilitating the secure passage of the evacuees from Afghanistan, who were transported to the Royal Bahraini Air Force’s Isa Air Base and then to their final destinations, praising the great role played by all those who contributed to undertaking such humanitarian operations to the fullest.

The United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) is the United States Navy element of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM). Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea. It consists of the United States Fifth Fleet and several other subordinate task forces, including Combined Task Force 150, Combined Task Force 158 and others.