The guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal and guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones participated in this year's Joint Air Defense Exercise alongside forces from U.S. Army Central Command and U.S. Air Forces Central earlier this month, the Navy announced.

JADEX, which this year took place in the Gulf of Oman between Feb. 17 and 19, is a bi-annual three day-long training event focused on increasing air defense readiness, according to the Navy.

This year's exercise included surface, space, cyber and missile defense systems in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The joint team practiced real-world tactics in simulated scenarios, including techniques and procedures to defend against ballistic missiles and small unmanned aerial systems.

"This exercise was critical to the assessment of our joint capabilities in achieving air and missile defense superiority," said Capt. Micheal Wagner, commanding officer of Port Royal.

"It served as an opportunity for our Sailors to work alongside their Army and Air Force counterparts, building experience and creating valuable relationships across our armed forces," Wagner said.

2 U.S. Navy ships in Middle East with COVID-19 outbreaks ordered back to port
 Washington DC (UPI) Feb 26, 2021 –

Two U.S. Navy ships in the Middle East have been ordered into port as they combat outbreaks of COVID-19, the U.S. Navy said early Friday.

The U.S. 5th Fleet revealed that about a dozen service members aboard the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego have tested positive for the virus, and that the vessel has already pulled into port in Bahrain.

"All positive cases have been isolated on board, and the ship remains in a restricted COVID bubble," 5th Fleet said in a statement. "The port visit and medical support have been coordinated with the host nation government and Bahrain Ministry of Health."

The second vessel, the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, is still out at sea with "several persons under investigation" but was heading back to port to conduct further testing of all those who have been possibly exposed, the 5th Fleet said, adding the location of the port was not disclosed due to operational safety.

"Medical health professionals are conducting a thorough contact investigation to determine the source of COVID-19 aboard the ships and whether any other personnel may have been exposed," it said.

Those identified as coming into contact with a positive case have been isolated and measures are being followed in accordance with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Navy guidelines and the Bahrain Ministry of health.

The announcement was made days after the Navy said Chief Hull Technician Justin Huf, 39, died on Monday of COVID-19-related complications. He was assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 based in Little Creek, Va.

Last summer, the USS Theodore Roosevelt suffered from a COVID-19 outbreak that infected one-fifth of its 4,800 crew, resulting in one death.

According to Navy data, as of Feb. 17 more than 53,500 people in the Navy have contracted the virus, nearly 32,000 of whom are military personnel.