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The United States Honors Egyptian Admiral and Celebrates Maritime Partnership During USS Truxtun Visit to Alexandria

05 May 2025

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command , 5th Fleet Public Affairs - NAVCENT

Alexandria, Egypt — U.S. Navy Vice Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, presented Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Navy Vice Adm. Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa Megahed with a personal military decoration from U.S. Central Command during a reception aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) in Alexandria, Egypt, May 1.

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U.S. Navy Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Central Forces Command and U.S. Fifth Fleet, left, awards Egyptian Navy Vice Adm. Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa Megahed, commander of the Egyptian Navy, center, with a Legion of Merit medal aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Central Forces Command and U.S. Fifth Fleet, speaks at a reception onboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
U.S. Navy Cmdr. James Koffi, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103), left, speaks at a reception with Egyptian Navy Vice Adm. Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa Megahed, commander of the Egyptian Navy, right, in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
U.S. Navy Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Central Forces Command and U.S. Fifth Fleet, left, awards Egyptian Navy Vice Adm. Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa Megahed, commander of the Egyptian Navy, center, with a Legion of Merit medal aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Wikoff recognized Atwa for his leadership and contributions to maritime security.

Held at Ras El Tin Naval Headquarters, the ship visit and reception followed high-level discussions between U.S. and Egyptian naval officials on regional maritime security, with a focus on ensuring freedom of navigation in critical waterways such as the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden.

Ambassador Mustafa Garg praised Egypt’s role in promoting regional stability and emphasized the importance of continued naval collaboration between the two countries.

“It is a great honor to recognize the service and dedication of our Egyptian naval partners,” Garg said. “Egypt, the region, and the entire world are safer and more prosperous because of our commitment to protecting freedom of navigation. Together, the United States and Egypt are working to build a safer and more prosperous future for both our great nations and the world.”

In turn, U.S. Army Col. David Kobs, Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy, affirmed, “The U.S.-Egypt military partnership is essential for regional stability and the free flow of commerce. Our navies work together daily to make our countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

The event underscored Egypt’s leadership in regional maritime coalitions, including its recent command of Combined Task Force 153, and reaffirmed over four decades of U.S.-Egypt defense cooperation through initiatives like BRIGHT STAR, joint training exercises, and military exchanges. The celebration served as a reminder of both nations’ commitment to strengthening security, peace, and prosperity in the region.

 

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