Overview

• U.S. Navy Vice Adm. George Wikoff presided over the Aug. 19 change-of-command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Manama.
• Royal Saudi Navy Commodore Fahad S. Al Joaid took command, succeeding a Royal New Zealand Navy rotation.
• Al Joaid previously commanded HMS Al Riyadh and earlier served with CTF 150 during Saudi Arabia’s first lead in 2018.
• Since January 2025, ships supporting the New Zealand-led team conducted more than 40 boardings and seized or destroyed over seven tons of narcotics.
• CTF 150 is one of five task forces under the Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces, a 46-nation partnership focused on maritime security across key Middle East waterways.