Combined Task Group News

Rear Adm. Garry E. Hall relieved Royal Navy Commodore Nick Lambert as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158 and Capt. Paul Severs relieved Royal Navy Capt. Bob Sanguinetti as commander of Combined Task Group (CTG) 158.1 on July 17 aboard Ocean 6, an afloat forward operating barge in the north Persian Gulf. Command of CTF 158 typically rotates among coalition partners Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States. CTF 158 is comprised of coalition ships and its primary mission in the Gulf is maintaining security in and around both the Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminals -- ABOT and KAAOT, respectively -- in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723.

By Lt. Nathan Christensen, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. ABOARD USS JOHN C. STENNIS (NNS) --Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 hosted a maritime law symposium aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) for business leaders while in port at the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of responsibility June 11. The symposium was designed to generate a friendly dialogue between CTF 152 and the larger maritime and merchant community within the region. CTF 152 operates in the southern and central Persian Gulf conducting maritime operations. “The sea is the great equalizer of us all,” said Capt. Michael Salvato, commander, Combined Task Group 152.0.

A Ukrainian cargo ship that inadvertently sailed into protected waters around Iraqi oil platforms in the Persian Gulf ignited a rapid security crackdown Wednesday morning, displaying some of the measures coalition forces take to protect the platforms. Ships rushed to intercept the cargo vessel. A 14-sailor boarding team from the Royal Australian Navy frigate Toowoomba spent three hours searching the 100-meter cargo ship, ensuring the crew’s documents were accurate, and trying to figure out why the vessel didn’t heed warnings to stay out of the terminal’s protective circle. The Ukrainian crew told sailors they were unaware of the security restraints in that area.