Two tugboats escort the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason on May 2, 2024. Mason was deployed to the 5th Fleet’s area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. (U.S. Navy)
WASHINGTON — The 5th Fleet was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal on Tuesday for actions disrupting smuggling efforts during a three-year period.
Operation Unified Takedown is an effort to disrupt smuggling networks that fund extremism and contribute to the global circulation of illegal substances. Sailors and Marines who participated in the operation from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2024, seized more than 70 tons of explosive propellants, 1,400 weapons, 226,000 rounds of ammunition and 43,000 kilograms of narcotics, the service said in a news release.
“The sailors and Marines of U.S. 5th Fleet have set an extraordinary standard of excellence and perseverance,” Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said in a prepared statement. “Their success in Operation Unified Takedown has not only enhanced maritime security but also strengthened global partnerships and fostered long-term regional stability.”
The 5th Fleet’s area of responsibility includes the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. American warships and commercial vessels have come under attack in the region for more than a year.
The Houthis, an Iranian-backed militant group in Yemen, have targeted some 100 merchant vessels transiting the Red Sea with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October 2023, The Associated Press reported. Some missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels as well.
The Houthi rebels maintain they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the United Kingdom to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza, according to the AP. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.
Houthi leaders have made multiple recent claims, without evidence, of successful attacks against U.S. targets.
“This recognition reflects the relentless commitment, courage, and professionalism of our sailors and Marines,” said Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 5th Fleet. “Operation Unified Takedown has been a team effort, and our success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our coalition partners and the dedication of every individual involved.”
