Navy's New Mobile Security Force Takes Over Security of Iraqi Oil Terminals
Navy Newsstand
Number: NNS040622-09
Release Date: 6/22/2004 2:00:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class Wes Eplen, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Navy Mobile Security Force Det. 21 (MSF Det. 21) relieved the Interim Marine Corps Security Force (IMCSF), Bahrain, June 5 aboard the Khawr Al Amaya and Al Basrah Oil Terminals (KAAOT and ABOT) in the North Arabian Gulf.
The Marines had been aboard the terminals since May 29, when they relieved Bahrain's Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST), which deployed to enhance terminal security hours after the failed April 24 insurgent attacks on the terminals. Comprised of approximately 70 Navy Sailors, MSF Det. 21 will fill the same role, but with additional weaponry and gear.
Commissioned in February of 2003, MSF Det. 21 is the first operational unit in the Navy's newly created Mobile Security Force.
"We provide point defense for any high-value asset, be that an aircraft, oil platform, USNS or USS ship. Anything the Navy deems high value, we protect," said Lt. Brian Vandiver, MSF Det. 21 officer in charge.
Twenty-four hours a day, MSF Det. 21 Sailors stand strategic watch positions across both platforms and maintain a reaction force on each. The detachment works in cooperation with civilian Iraqi security forces and thousands of other military and contracted forces as part of Task Force Shield, the initiative established to protect the terminals and pipelines from saboteurs.
"The only way they [Iraqis] are going to get the money they need to rebuild is through their oil, and almost all of their oil comes through these platforms," said Vandiver. "If we: the ships, Mobile Security and NCW [Naval Coastal Warfare] can't keep these platforms safe, then we've failed everyone ashore, including the roughly 130,000 Army Soldiers and Marines who have been in there for a year. All they've accomplished is useless if there's no way to get this oil to market and improve Iraq's economy."
Sailors from Naval Coastal Warfare Group 2, deployed from Norfolk, Va., remain aboard the terminals while training MSF 21 to operate their surveillance and communications gear.
But MSF Sailors are well accustomed to intensive training. Everyone in MSF attends basic master-at-arms training regardless of their rate, as well as a myriad of specialized Navy security, force protection and combat schools. All also attend Marine Corps crew-served weapons training, and many have patrol boat training or special aircraft security training.
In addition to the specialized forces aboard the terminals, increased security measures around the terminals include a 2,000-meter Exclusion Zone and a Warning Zone that extends to 3,000 meters. The zones are enforced by a number of coalition warships under the command of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 55.
"The ships out here are great," said Master-At-Arms Seaman Apprentice Stephen Mallery. "They really give us a lot of support, bringing us food and taking us on board to check email and wash clothes. Plus it just feels good to look out there and see one of those gray hulls coming around. You feel a lot better when you see them sitting out there."
"It's a dangerous job, but this is what MSF was made for," added Engineman 2nd Class Robert Looney. "Our design and all our training prepares us for going into a hostile environment and providing the fleet with 360-degree security for a high value asset."
Since July of 2003, KAAOT and ABOT have pumped more than 450 million barrels of oil to more than 280 tankers, resulting in more than $11 billion in revenue for the Iraqi people.
"Our goal is still the same - to protect the terminals at all costs, given their vital importance to the future of the Iraqi people," said Capt. Kurt Tidd, Commander, TF 55 and the coalition maritime security forces.
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