January 14, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release # 009-07
Coalition Efforts Help Iraqi Navy Succeed at Oil Terminal Protection
OCEAN 6, At sea - Three senior ranking Iraqi navy officers stationed at the Umm Qasr Naval Base (UQNB) in Iraq recently concluded a five-day transition leadership workshop to Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1 in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the North Arabian Gulf.
MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the North Arabian Gulf and protect Iraq’s sea-based infrastructure to help provide the Iraqi people the opportunity for self-determination.
“We’re here to learn from one another to ensure we continue delivering maximum protection to these oil terminals,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158. “Let’s make the most of the time we have, and learn as much as we can together.”
The trio is the first of four teams slated to embed CTF 158 to assimilate command and control concepts associated with the CTG 158.1 mission of protecting Iraq’s Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya oil terminals, also known as ABOT and KAAOT.
The group’s presence represents a significant step forward in the transition of CTG 158.1 responsibilities to the Iraqi navy and marines. The Iraqi officers worked shoulder-to-shoulder with CTG 158.1 staff in their Tactical Operations Center learning mission imperatives at both the operational and tactical levels. They also assessed the training and proficiency of Iraqi marines, and learned challenges and successes already experienced by coalition partners.
Under the guidance of Capt. Chris Noble, commander of Task Group 158.1, the group met with U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael J. Walsh, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division, during a visit to ABOT. Walsh noted he was visiting the region to gauge preparations for oil terminal upgrades to include new metering systems, life rafts, automated controls and fire protections systems. Walsh also added he was honored to meet and work alongside the Iraqis on a project that would benefit their entire nation.
The Iraqi visit concluded with CTF 158 and CTG 158.1 escorting the visiting Iraqis back to the UQNB where the entire group met with the Naval Transition Team (NaTT) to discuss the way ahead. NaTT is the Royal Navy base embedded on UQNB that trains and equips the Iraqi navy and has played a key role in developing and mentoring Iraqi sailors since 2003.
070108-N-9268E-001 UMM QASR NAVAL BASE, Iraq - Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, Capt. Chris Noble talks with an Iraqi commander visiting the CTG 158.1 area of responsibility in the North Arabian Gulf from Umm Qasr Naval Base in Iraq. This visit was part of a five-day leadership transition workshop designed to help the Iraqi navy and marines assimilate command and control concepts associated with the CTG 158.1 mission. Official U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Karen Eifert
070108-N-9268E-003 North Arabian Gulf - Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, Capt. Chris Noble examines valves on the Al Basra Oil Terminal with senior Iraqi officers visiting the CTG 158.1 area of responsibility from the Umm Qasr Naval Base in Iraq. This visit was part of a five-day leadership transition workshop designed to help the Iraqi navy and marines assimilate command and control concepts associated with the CTG 158.1 mission. Official U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Karen Eifert
070108-N-9268E-004 North Arabian Gulf - Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, Capt. Chris Noble walks with an Iraqi commander while visiting the Al Basra Oil Terminal in the North Arabian Gulf. This visit was part of a five-day leadership transition workshop designed to help the Iraqi navy and marines assimilate command and control concepts associated with the CTG 158.1 mission. Official U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Karen Eifert
070108-N-9268E-006 UMM QASR NAVAL BASE, Iraq - Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, Capt. Chris Noble talks with an Iraqi commander visiting the CTG 158.1 area of responsibility in the North Arabian Gulf from Umm Qasr Naval Base in Iraq. This visit was part of a five-day leadership transition workshop designed to help the Iraqi navy and marines assimilate command and control concepts associated with the CTG 158.1 mission. Official U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Karen Eifert
070108-N-9268E-010 North Arabian Gulf - Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, Capt. Chris Noble talks with an Iraqi commander visiting the CTG 158.1 area of responsibility while on the Al Basra Oil Terminal in the North Arabian Gulf. The commander, from Umm Qasr Naval Base in Iraq, was visiting as part of a five-day leadership transition workshop designed to help the Iraqi navy and marines assimilate command and control concepts associated with the CTG 158.1 mission. Official U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Karen Eifert
070108-N-9268E-009 North Arabian Gulf - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division Commander Brig. Gen. Michael J. Walsh takes time to visit with Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, Capt. Chris Noble and senior Iraqi officers visiting from the Umm Qasr Naval Base to the Al Basra Oil Terminal (ABOT). The Iraqis were visiting the CTG 158.1 area of responsibility as part of a five-day leadership transition workshop designed to help the Iraqi navy and marines assimilate command and control concepts associated with the CTG 158.1 mission. Official U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Karen Eifert
070108-N-9268E-011 UMM QASR NAVAL BASE, Iraq - Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1, Capt. Chris Noble explains details of an operations brief to senior Iraqi officers visiting the CTG 158.1 area of responsibility in the North Arabian Gulf from Umm Qasr Naval Base in Iraq. This visit was part of a five-day leadership transition workshop designed to help the Iraqi navy and marines assimilate command and control concepts associated with the CTG 158.1 mission. Official U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Karen Eifert
