The USNS Choctaw County arrives in Lebanon for the first time as part of the CPS Mission

Expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Choctaw County (T-EPF 2) arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 20, to participate in U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s (NAVCENT) first-ever Central Partnership Station (CPS) mission.

The CPS mission in Lebanon is designed to build partner capacity through subject-matter-expert exchanges, enhancing interoperability and the military-to-military relationship between the U.S. Navy and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

“This is a new opportunity for the U.S. Navy to work with our Lebanese counterparts,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of NAVCENT, U.S. 5th Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces. “We are ushering in a new era of strengthening and expanding capacity building across the region.”

The mission includes a series of subject-matter-expert exchanges on mine countermeasures, disaster response, public health, and construction capabilities between LAF and NAVCENT troops.

U.S. forces working alongside their LAF counterparts include the Choctaw County, explosive ordnance disposal technicians and Navy divers, a medical and health engagement team and a Seabee construction battalion. Seabees are constructing a maritime security support facility with LAF engineers.

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