# First Visit by U.S. Warship to Egypt’s Berenice Naval Base

/ Published Aug. 13, 2021
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN , 
Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) visited Egypt’s Berenice Naval Base, Aug. 12, marking the first time a U.S. warship has pulled into the Red Sea base, which officially opened in January 2020.                 BERENICE, Egypt (August 12, 2021) – Capt. Joseph Baggett, commanding officer of guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), left, Vice Adm. Ahmed Khaled Hassan Saeed, commander of the Egyptian Naval Force, center, and Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), far right, walk together during a tour of the ship in Berenice, Egypt, Aug. 12. Monterey is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chelsea Palmer)                            First Visit by U.S. Warship to Egypt’s Berenice Naval Base                            BERENICE, Egypt (August 12, 2021) – Capt. Joseph Baggett, commanding officer of guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), left, Vice Adm. Ahmed Khaled Hassan Saeed, commander of the Egyptian Naval Force, center, and Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), far right, walk together during a tour of the ship in Berenice, Egypt, Aug. 12. Monterey is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chelsea Palmer)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Seaman Apprentice Chelsea PalmerVIRIN: 210812-N-WQ732-1099BDuring the visit the ship hosted Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF); Vice Adm. Ahmed Khaled Hassan Saeed, commander of the Egyptian Naval Force; U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Jonathan R. Cohen; and Commodore Waleed Aly Atiaa, commanding officer of Berenice Naval Base.The group toured the ship, spoke with crew members and participated in a gift exchange with Monterey’s commanding officer, Capt. Joseph A. Baggett.“I am honored that Monterey was able to conduct this historic first visit to the Berenice Naval Base,” said Baggett. “I’m also extremely proud of the hard work this crew has put into this and every other opportunity we’ve had to operate alongside regional partners throughout our deployment.”Ambassador Cohen noted: "This visit exemplifies the strength of U.S.-Egyptian maritime cooperation. Together we are combating smuggling, trafficking, and piracy, and ensuring safety at sea.”In April, Egypt became the 34th member of CMF, an enduring multinational coalition formed in 2002 and committed to upholding the rules-based international order by countering illicit non-state actors, safeguarding freedom of navigation, and promoting security, stability, and prosperity.