Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Iain Page | 251005-N-HD763-1207 MANAMA, Bahrain (Oct. 5, 2025) U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper,...... read more read more
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MANAMA, Bahrain – U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (NAVCENT/C5F) and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) from Vice Adm. George Wikoff during a change of command ceremony on board Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Oct. 5.
U.S. Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, commander, U.S. Central Command, served as guest speaker, and thanked Wikoff for his dedication and lasting impact to NAVCENT, the joint force and the entire C5F area of operations.
"George, on behalf of all of Central Command and a grateful nation, thank you for your leadership, your devotion to your mission and your devotion to your people,” said Cooper. “You leave NAVCENT stronger than you found it and your impact has been immeasurable. So much has been achieved by you and this amazing team that I can’t miss the moment to say, the books will show that this was a tour for the ages.”
Wikoff assumed command of NAVCENT/C5F Feb. 1, 2024, and was charged with leading more than 16,000 service members and civilians. He also oversaw tactical control of 10 U.S. and coalition task forces, including 7,310 Sailors and Marines, during 10 fleet operations. As CMF commander, he managed a 47-nation maritime partnership in one of the world’s most diverse and challenging areas of operations.
“ In my time here, I have seen firsthand the commitment of the United States as a reliable maritime partner in this region,” said Wikoff. “ [I witnessed] the most hazardous operations our surface force has seen in 80 years, and our surface warriors never failed.”
Wikoff conceptualized the NAVCENT Maritime Headquarters/Maritime Operations Center; spearheaded a transnational effort composed of surface and air assets from nine nations to strengthen security to maritime traffic throughout the region; and synchronized CMF, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and Oil Companies International Marine Forums to develop a Joint Maritime Information Center, to provide guidance to maritime industry in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
His operational vision directly led to efforts which served to defend non-NATO allies, de-escalate regional tensions, deter threats and reassure regional partners of the U.S. commitment to regional stability and security.
“To the service members and civilians of the NAVCENT family, you are the backbone of these efforts, and you have my deepest admiration,” said Wikoff. “I thank you for your honor, courage and commitment to our important mission. You embody the best of what it means to serve and it has been the greatest honor of my career to lead you in this mission.”
Wikoff is slated to report as commander to U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Allied Joint Force Command Naples.
Renshaw assumes command of NAVCENT/C5F/CMF following his most recent tour as director of operations for U.S. Central Command. He also previously served at NAVCENT/C5F as the deputy commander.
“I am incredibly proud to join this formidable team,” said Renshaw. “ Together, with our partners, we will continue to promote peace through strength, and maintain maritime security and stability throughout this dynamic region.”
NAVCENT/C5F is the maritime component commander of U.S. Central Command, whose area of responsibility encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 21 countries, includes three critical chokepoints at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait at the southern tip of Yemen.
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2025 03:53 |
| Story ID: | 551192 |
| Location: | MANAMA, BH |
| Web Views: | 110 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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