USS Truxtun Arrives in Alexandria for Bright Star 2025 Maritime Phase

Photo By Maged Benjamin-Elias | Two Egyptian sailors assist the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) as it pulls into port at Ras Al Tin Naval Base in Alexandria, Egypt, Sep 1, 2025 during Exercise Bright Star 25. An Egyptian navy photographer documents the ship’s arrival with photographs. Bright Star 2025 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command exercise co-hosted with Egypt across air, land and sea domains. The exercise promotes regional security and cooperation and improves interoperability in irregular warfare against hybrid threats, with more than 40 countries participating this year. (U.S. Central Command photo by Maged Benjamin-Elias)  

ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

09.01.2025

Story by Maged Benjamin-Elias 

U.S. Central Command Public Affairs           

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt — The guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) arrived at Alexandria’s port Sept. 1 to take part in the maritime phase of Bright Star 2025, the oldest and largest joint military exercise between the United States, Egypt and multinational partners.
The ship’s arrival marked the beginning of a series of joint naval drills that brought together forces from 44 nations to strengthen regional and global security cooperation.
“My name is Brigadier General Patrick Clare, U.S. military exercise director for Bright Star 2025. On behalf of CENTCOM Commander Admiral Cooper and Army Central Commander Lieutenant General Frank, it is my distinct honor to be with you today as we begin the maritime phase of this historic exercise,” Clare said at the ceremony.
Clare emphasized the importance of maritime operations for collective defense, noting that projecting power from the sea depends not only on U.S. naval strength but also on close cooperation with allies and partners. He said the United States was honored to train alongside Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Cyprus, Italy, Greece and India during the exercise.
“The maritime domain is central to joint warfighting. It is the lifeline of global commerce, the arena where freedom of navigation must be preserved, and the space where credible deterrence is demonstrated every single day,” Clare said.
The maritime phase of Bright Star included search and rescue drills, replenishment at sea and live armament training in the Mediterranean. Participating Sailors also trained on firefighting, explosive ordnance disposal and humanitarian response operations.
Clare stressed that naval forces play a dual role—capable of deterring threats while also providing humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and medical care.
“By training together here in Bright Star, we are sending a clear message: we are stronger when we work together. Side by side, we refine our interoperability, we deepen our trust, and we demonstrate a unity of purpose that no adversary can ignore,” he said.
First held in 1980, Bright Star has become a key venue for military-to-military engagement between the United States, Egypt and partner nations. Officials said this year’s iteration reflected a continued commitment to regional stability, freedom of the seas and multinational cooperation.

• Date Taken: 09.01.2025
• Date Posted: 09.30.2025 10:26
• Story ID: 549663
• Location: ALEXANDRIA, EG