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Iraq Joins Arabian Gauntlet 2005

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050412-06
Release Date: 4/12/2005 1:34:00 PM

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

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- For the first time in its country's history, the Iraqi Navy has joined with coalition forces to participate as observers during exercise Arabian Gauntlet 2005 in the Persian Gulf March 22-30.

Arabian Gauntlet is a multilateral air, surface and mine countermeasure exercise designed to enhance interoperability with coalition partners and allies in the region to conduct maritime security operations (MSO).

"This is the very first time for us to be involved with many nations in the Arabian Gulf area," said Iraqi Capt. Thmir Naser, chief of staff for the operational commander at Umm Qasr Naval Base. "The coalition has done very well for us. They have helped us with training, as well as to deal with operations to protect our two [oil] terminals."

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

The exercise provides another step for the Iraqi navy in taking greater responsibility for maintaining security and stability within Iraqi territorial waters by observing coalition forces practicing MSO missions.

"It is very important to us to find other nations' experience and get their skills," said Naser. "You get good knowledge for the future and for your people, to control such a job like protecting the two oil terminals, which is the main source of Iraq's economy."

As a sovereign Iraq continues to strengthen, so does the Iraqi navy's hope for future participation in exercises and operations with its allies.

"We hope next year we will be more involved," said Iraqi Capt. Adel Hafith, operational commander of Umm Qasr Naval Base. "But right now, it is very good for us to start out just observing."

More than 3,000 people and 19 ships from the United States, Iraq, Pakistan and other coalition and regional allies are participating in Arabian Gauntlet 2005.