CTF 152 Changes Hands

News from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet Combined Maritime Forces.
Focus on Defense:

MANAMA, Bahrain, Jan. 20, 2009 -- Royal Australian Navy Commodore Bruce Kafer relieved Rear Adm. Frank Pandolfe as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 in a ceremony at the Combined Maritime Forces Headquarters Jan. 16, 2009 in Bahrain.

The ceremony marked the first occasion that the Royal Australian Navy assumed command of CTF 152.

“My primary objective, while in command of CTF 152, is to enhance maritime security in the Arabian Gulf and to assist the protection of GCC nations’ maritime infrastructure,” said Kafer. “I will also be engaging the military leadership of regional nations to encourage them to integrate their maritime forces into the operations of the Combined Maritime Forces.”

Established in 2004, CTF 152 is responsible for Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) activities with regional partners and Maritime Security Operations (MSO) as well as being prepared to respond to any crisis inside the Arabian Gulf.

“Our long-term goal is to enhance the ability of regional maritime forces to limit illegal activities and defeat destabilizing activities in the Arabian Gulf,” said Kafer.

Operations in the Combined Maritime Forces area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the Coalition’s commitment to help set conditions for security and stability. Coalition forces maintain a naval and air presence in the region that deters destabilizing activities while safeguarding the region’s vital links to the global economy.

(From a Combined Maritime Forces Office of Public Affairs news release.)

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