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WASHINGTON — U.S. 5th Fleet is beginning the inaugural Central Partnership Station exercise in Lebanon, meant to marry partner-building military training with humanitarian work in U.S. Central Command.

The exercise mirrors the partnership station series that have been conducted in U.S. Southern Command, US Africa Command and US Indo-Pacific Command, will enhance the Lebanese Armed Forces’ ability to conduct missions like mine countermeasures, naval construction and disaster-related public health activities, as well as deliver goods like baby formula to the Middle East partner nation, 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Tim Hawkins said.

“The fact that [U.S. Naval Forces Central Command] is conducting its first-ever Central Partnership Station mission is a testament to the success and the effectiveness of those previously established efforts in other regions,” Hawkins said. “We’re doing it in the Middle East because we recognize that there’s an opportunity to build partner capacity as well as do some humanitarian work that is needed.”. About 40 U.S. Navy and military personnel will participate in the event alongside their Lebanese counterparts. The exercise is set to last through Sept. 29.

Lebanon currently faces many challenges, including Iranian-funded activities by terrorist group Hezbollah, instability and terrorist activity in neighboring Syria, and illegal immigration across land borders with Syria and by sea in the Mediterranean. Hawkins said building up the Lebanese Armed Forces’ capability and capacity is “critical to maintaining regional maritime security and stability.”

Hawkins made clear the kickoff of Central Partnership Station is unrelated to the drawdown in Afghanistan and in fact has been in the planning stage for months.

“We are looking to do more with our partners in the region, and we think that is critical: military-to-military engagements like these enhance interoperability, they build partner capacity, and that results in improved regional security and stability. That’s the bottom line,” he said. “This is really about our priority here at NAVCENT to strengthen and expand capacity-building with regional partners.”

“Central Partnership Station includes a series of subject matter expert exchanges between NAVCENT personnel and our Lebanese Armed Forces partners on mine countermeasures, disaster response, public health and construction capabilities. So given that, our measure is whether or not we enhance capability in those areas,” Hawkins said.

“If we see that we had the effect desired and that it was beneficial to furthering the military-to-military relationship with the Lebanese Armed Forces, then we will certainly look to do more in the region with our partners along these lines,” he added.