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North Persian Gulf News

27 Nov 2007

Enterprise Strike Group Exemplifies CNO's Maritime Strategy

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Gary Roughead, along with the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC), Gen. James Conway and Commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thad Allen released the "Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower" on Oct 17. As the maritime strategy was released, Enterprise Strike Group (ENTSG) was executing it while forward deployed in the 5th Fleet area of operations. The new strategy stresses the importance of the Navy's core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control, and power projection as well as its expanded core capabilities of humanitarian assistance/disaster response and maritime security. ENTSG's assets are currently deployed throughout the Eastern Hemisphere in the performance of those missions.

20 Nov 2007

NAVCENT Marks Oil Platforms Upgrades

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Josh Cassatt, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet and Royal Australian Navy Commodore Allan du Toit, commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 158, visited Iraq's Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) Nov. 16, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the implementation of facility upgrades. The most significant improvement on KAAOT was the installation of the Tactical Operations Center (TOC), which will serve as a permanent centralized command and control location to enhance Coalition coordination.

18 Jul 2007

Royal Navy Hands Over Combined Task Force 158 to U.S. Forces

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.

07 Jun 2007

U.S. Navy Ships Conduct FAC/FIAC Exercises

USS Antietam (CG 54), USS O'Kane (DDG 77) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) transits through the Gulf of Oman. All the ships are part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Operations. Maritime Operations help set the conditions for security and stability, as well as complement counter-terrorism and security efforts to regional nations. U.S. By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico, USS John C. U.S. Navy ships conducted a fast attack craft (FAC)/fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) exercise June 4 in the North Persian Gulf. USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Antietam (CG 54), USS O'Kane (DDG 77), USS Denver (LPD 9) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47) participated in the exercise.

06 Mar 2007

USS Howard Departs Persian Gulf

USS Howard (DDG 83) completed conducting maritime security operations (MSO) on Feb. 28 for Combined Task Force 158 in the North Persian Gulf in support of U.S. 5th Fleet. Howard, along with other coalition ships, guarded Iraq’s Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT) and the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) off the southern coast of Iraq. As a part of the USS Boxer (LHD 4) Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG), Howard was responsible for coordinating MSO around the Al Basrah oil platform. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the North Persian Gulf and protect Iraq’s sea-based infrastructure, which provides the Iraqi people the opportunity for self-determination.

29 Nov 2006

Ocean 6 Conducts Operations with BOXESG

Combined Task Force (CTF) 158 command and control center’s afloat forward staging base, known as Ocean 6, conducted maritime security operations (MSO) in the North Persian Gulf with USS Boxer (LHD 4) Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG), Nov. 21-24. Ocean 6, a converted civilian barge, is a central command and control hub for MSO in the North Persian Gulf. U.S. Sailors assigned to Ocean 6 coordinate all MSO activity with coalition ships in the North Persian Gulf. Its primary mission is the protection of Iraq’s oil platforms by coordinating U.S. and coalition forces for optimum defense, tactical operations and intelligence gathering in the region.

23 May 2006

MSD 71 Supports Maritime Security Operations

Forward deployed Sailors attached to Mobile Security Detachment (MSD) 71 are currently deployed to Iraq’s two critical oil platforms, the Al Basrah (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya (KAAOT) oil terminals, conducting maritime security operations (MSO). As a part of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 158, MSD 71, based in Guam, arrived on station April 9 to train and work alongside Iraqi marines in point defense operations of the oil terminals. “We act in a Military Training Team mode and oversee their day-to-day operations to ensure that they’re securing the platforms in accordance with the procedures established for the inner defense layer of the terminals,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Miller, MSD 71 officer in charge.

19 May 2006

Coast Guard Trains Iraqi Marines in Maritime Security Operations

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 102 is teaching Iraqi marines valuable skills that will help them protect Iraqi infrastructure and territorial waters in the future. Embarked aboard USS Ogden (LPD 5) in the North Persian Gulf as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158, the eight-man Coast Guard team routinely trains the Iraqi marine platoons in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations through a series of almost daily staged events. “We are basically teaching them use of force, tactical procedures in terms of boarding ships and how to handle a large crew,” said Lt. j.g. Torrey Bertheau, officer in charge of LEDET 102. Each of the Iraqi marine platoons spend a week aboard Ogden and use the ship as a simulated oil tanker. U.S.

17 May 2006

Oldest Amphib Serves as Base for Iraq’s Future

USS Ogden (LPD 5), the Navy’s oldest active amphibious ship, is currently serving as the Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) for the multinational maritime coalition operating in the North Persian Gulf. As the AFSB for Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, the 41-year-old amphibious transport dock is providing logistical support for the various forces that are protecting Iraq’s territorial waters and oil platforms, as well as serving as a training platform for Iraqi sailors and marines. “The crew is having a wonderful time,” said Cmdr. James Hruska, Ogden’s commanding officer. On the bridge, Ogden Sailors work and stand watches alongside Iraqi naval officers.

02 Jun 2006

Navy, Coast Guard Join Forces in Persian Gulf

Quick and maneuverable, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard patrol boats have become an integral part of maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf. As part of Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, the patrol boats are conducting MSO, which help set the conditions for security and stability in the North Persian Gulf and protect Iraq's sea-based infrastructure to help provide the Iraqi people the opportunity for self-determination. U.S. Navy 170-foot Cyclone-class Coastal Patrol (PC) ships and Coast Guard 110-foot Island-class patrol boats (PB) can reach their destinations faster and navigate in and out of shallower waters than larger Navy ships. PCs typically remain forward deployed for long periods of time in the Persian Gulf, while their crews are swapped out every six months.

27 Mar 2006

Merchant Vessel, U.S. Navy Ship Collide in Persian Gulf

The Kiribati-flagged merchant vessel M/V Rokya 1 and USS McCampbell (DDG 85) collided on March 25, approximately 30 miles southeast of the Iraqi coastline in the North Persian Gulf. Two U.S. Sailors received minor injuries as a result of the collision. Two crew members from Rokya 1 also received minor injuries and were treated on-scene by McCampbell’s independent duty corpsman. Rokya 1 and McCampbell, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, both received damage on the bow and are deemed seaworthy. The cause of the accident is under investigation. McCampbell, homeported in San Diego and currently on a routine six-month deployment, is one of several coalition assets conducting maritime security operations under the direction of Combined Task Force (CTF) 58.

05 May 2006

Nassau ESG Returns to Norfolk

Elements of the USS Nassau (LHA 4) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) including the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), amphibious transport dock USS Austin (LPD 40) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), carrying more than 2,700 Sailors, returned to Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek May 4, following a six-month deployment is support of the global war on terrorism. Nassau ESG ships, which deployed Nov. 7, conducted maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) and supported theater security cooperation in the U.S. 6th Fleet AOR. Other members of the ESG, including the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), returned May 2.