Manama: The commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has completed a comprehensive 10-day visit to the Middle East, as confirmed on Saturday. Adm. Brad Cooper’s tour included stops in six countries and a visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier stationed in the Arabian Sea.

According to Anadolu Agency, during his visit, Adm. Cooper engaged with military leaders and government officials in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. His tour underscored the ongoing commitment of the US to its allies in the region. Additionally, Cooper met with US service members deployed across the Middle East, acknowledging their significant presence of over 50,000 personnel in the area.

Adm. Cooper expressed gratitude towards the service members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, commending their dedication and courage. He praised the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group as a formidable unit, highlighting their achievements with pride. Cooper noted the historical significance of the deployment, describing it as one of the most operationally intense and consequential in recent times.

Previously, Adm. Cooper had visited the USS Abraham Lincoln in February, accompanied by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The aircraft carrier, which is based in San Diego, embarked on its deployment in November and reached the Middle East in January.