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NATO Striking Fleet, U.S. Second Fleet Commander Visits CJTF-HOA Flagship

Story Number: NNS030221-16
2/21/2003

From 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

ABOARD USS MOUNT WHITNEY, At Sea (NNS) -- Commander NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic/Commander U.S. 2nd Fleet, Vice Adm. Cutler Dawson visited the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) headquarters, commanded by Maj. Gen. John F. Sattler Feb. 17, to discuss ongoing operations in the region.

During his visit, Dawson met with Sailors and Marines embarked aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20).

"I got an opportunity to see the JTF-HOA Navy/Marine Corps team at work. They were upbeat and proud of being a part of a mission they believe in," Dawson said. The 2nd Fleet/Striking Fleet flagship, Mount Whitney, is currently deployed as CJTF-HOA headquarters.

Mount Whitney serves as the hub of counter-terrorism operations encompassing the total airspace, land areas, and coastal waters of Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Yemen.

When asked what impressions he came away with during his trip to the region, Dawson responded, "This visit served as a stark reminder of why we need command and control capabilities... from the sea, and it demonstrates the value and support Mount Whitney brings to an area with a harsh terrain and limited infrastructure."

In addition to meeting with the ship's commanding officer, Capt. David W. Prothero, Dawson also addressed Mount Whitney, 2nd Fleet, and Striking Fleet Atlantic Sailors deployed in support of CJTF-HOA. Emphasizing they are involved in a long-term effort demanding sacrifice, he thanked them for their professionalism, dedication and service to the nation in support of the global war on terrorism.

Dawson visited with Italian Rear Adm. Rinaldo Veri, the commander of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) aboard his command ship, ITS Mimbell. Veri leads a 10-ship naval task force comprised of forces from Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain and the United States mission focused on searching for terrorist operatives and contraband while patrolling the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean areas near the Horn of Africa.

To wrap up the day, Dawson flew back to Djibouti for a tour of Camp Lemonier, home to nearly 1,300 CJTF-HOA personnel representing all branches of the U.S. military, civilian representatives and coalition partner personnel.

The mission of CJTF-HOA is to detect, disrupt and defeat transnational terrorist groups in the Horn of Africa region. CJTF-HOA is also working closely with coalition partners to establish conditions leading to long-term stability within the region, thus denying the opportunity for the re-emergence of terrorist networks.