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Coalition, Regional Forces Launch Exercise Arabian Gauntlet

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050411-15
Release Date: 4/11/2005 4:20:00 PM

By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Navy personnel from 13 countries kicked off Exercise Arabian Gauntlet 2005 aboard USS Duluth (LPD 6) in Manama, Bahrain, March 20.

More than 3,000 people and 19 ships from the United States, Iraq, Pakistan and other coalition and regional allies are using the latest in tactical detection and deterrent measures designed to improve and sharpen Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

"Arabian Gauntlet is a multilateral surface, air and mine countermeasure exercise designed to practice maritime security operations with our coalition partners and allies in the region," said Capt. Hank Miranda, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 50. "Arabian Gauntlet is an excellent training opportunity to enhance the interoperability of coalition and regional allies to deter international terrorist organizations' use of the maritime environment."

MSO is aimed at setting the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment. Illicit activity at sea impacts us globally. MSO pressurizes the maritime environment and is the single most significant component of the conventional maritime effort against terrorism.

At the end of Arabian Gauntlet, the coalition will evaluate all phases and identify steps to improve any circumstances that deter potential threats, and improve techniques that currently protect shipping and prevent other illicit activities.

"The maritime security environment is something that is a common concern to all of us, and the aim of this exercise is the achievement of a secure and stable maritime environment," said Capt. Asif Saleem, mission commander of the Pakistani contingent participating in the biannual exercise. "In that context, we will be exercising and training in conducting operations that all form part of the security of the maritime environment of the sea."

Duluth, an amphibious transport ship, served as the command platform for the multinational exercise that ended March 29.