The U.S. Navy announced the International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19) is starting with personnel and assets from over 50 countries and seven international organizations on Oct. 21.

This will be the sixth IMX, with the last one held in 2017.

International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2019 staff members pose for a photo during the opening ceremony of IMX 2019 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2019 staff members pose for a photo during the opening ceremony of IMX 2019 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The 5th Fleet area of operations covers the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

IMX 19 specifically will include operations from the Suez Canal to the Bab-al-Mandeb strait between Yemen and Eritrea and Djibouti, through the Strait of Hormuz, and into the Northern Persian Gulf.

The Navy said IMX 19 will have four phases: staff training, table-top and classroom exercises, fleet training exercise, and force redeployment.

The service said IMX 19 will demonstrate “the international community’s resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.”

Vice. Adm. Jim Malloy, commander of 5th Fleet and U.S. Naval Force Central Command, underscored the differences in this year’s exercises.

“This year’s iteration is the largest yet, expanding in size and geography, including all essential elements of maritime security operations,” Malloy said in a statement.

There are 20 new participant nations, an “unprecedented”  amount of new ground is being covered, and more training scenarios for the multinational team, Malloy said.

“IMX is an important demonstration of global commitment to freedom of navigation and the free flow of maritime commerce in this region,” Malloy added.