The U.S. navy is committed to its presence in Bahrain to ensure free flow of trade primarily in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a top U.S. Navy commander said on Saturday.

Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney, the Commander of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, said the U.S. navy’s aim is not only to enhance maritime security but also react in times of crisis with regional partners.

“A big part of what I do out here as the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Commander, in addition to helping protect the free flow of commerce, is to build trust and inspire confidence with our regional partners,” Sweeney was quoted as saying in an interview with Gulf News.

Bahrain has been home to the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet since 1949.

“We remain committed to this region,” he said.

“Our Navy is committed to maintaining a sustainable defensive presence in support of our regional partners, providing the flexibility to react to crises, and safeguard the free flow of commerce in waterways to enable the global economy.”

The admiral was speaking aboard the Truman in the Sea of Oman where the U.S. and French navies have completed five weeks of unprecedented joint carrier strike group operations in the region.

Also, Sweeney said that in a week, more than 500 ships will sail through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Of those, 300 are energy carriers representing 40 percent of the world’s seaborne traded oil,” he said.

“That is a significant level of maritime traffic and volume of global resources,” he added.