RIYADH — Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, traveled to Riyadh to meet with Vice Adm. Fahad Al Ghofaily, commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), and US Ambassador John Abizaid, Sept. 29, 2019. The visit, following a Sept. 14 attack on Saudi facilities, focused on RSNF's lead role in regional efforts to strengthen and reinforce defenses against Iranian aggression. "Engaging and operating closely with regional counterparts is essential to maintain deterrence," said Malloy. "Saudi Arabia has been a key ally in promoting regional security, and Vice Adm. Gofaily's leadership and partnership is key as we coordinate defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as all regional partners and those nations across the globe who rely on maritime commerce in and out of the Middle East. This visit was an opportunity to discuss our mutual efforts going forward to coordinate defense against provocation and attack." The US 5th Fleet's area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
