MANAMA — Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa met on Monday with the newly-appointed US Naval Forces Central Command, Fifth Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Charles Bradley Cooper at Sakhir Palace, the Bahrain News Agency reported. The new fifth fleet commander, who replaced Vice Adm. Samuel Paparo, was introduced to the Bahraini king the US Embassy Charge D’Affaires, Margaret Nardi. King Hamad welcomed them and congratulated Vice Admiral Charles Bradley Cooper on assuming his new post, wishing him every success. He lauded deep-rooted historical relations of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Bahrain which are based on mutual respect and joint coordination. The Bahraini king commended growing bilateral cooperation, mainly in the military and defense field, praising the pivotal role of the US administration in maintaining security and stability in the region. Vice Admiral Charles Bradly Cooper lauded the efforts of the king to further consolidate historical and distinguished relations between the two friendly countries mainly in the defense fields.