This comes within the framework of efforts made by the Armed Forces, in cooperation with the United States and other countries, to face threats and challenges to security and stability of the region, Abdel-Hafiz said on his official Facebook page.

CTF 153, which is one of four Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) task forces, was established in April to enhance international maritime security and capacity-building efforts in the Red Sea region, according to a statement from the US Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs.

The transition marks the first time Egypt is assuming command of a CMF operational staff since joining the 34 member-nation naval partnership in 2021, said the US Naval Forces Central Command.

“It is a true honour to hand over command to an incredibly strong regional maritime partner like Egypt. I know the task force will continue to execute as one dynamic team, and I will always be celebrating their accomplishments from afar,” said US Navy Captain Robert Francis, who stood up CTF 153 in April. 

During a ceremony held on Monday in Bahrain, where the multinational staff is headquartered, Francis handed the command of CTF 153 to the Egyptian Navy Rear Admiral Mahmoud Abdel-Sattar, who has 27 years of military experience that began following graduation from the Egyptian Naval College in 1995, the US statement said.

Mahmoud has extensive experience in submarine operations and most recently served as the chief of staff for a naval base in Alexandria, Egypt, the statement added.