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Coalition Task Force Teams Up With Iraq, Kuwait For Operation River Dragon

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050801-11
Release Date: 8/1/2005 4:00:00 PM

From U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

ABOARD USS NORMANDY (NNS) -- Coalition maritime forces and maritime forces from Iraq and Kuwait launched an historic operation July 20 focused on maritime security operations (MSO) in the North Persian Gulf, marking the first time the countries' sea services have worked together.

"Operation River Dragon was intended to form the foundation for developing a suite of coordinated Iraqi, Kuwaiti and coalition [maritime] security operations which can be executed at short notice," said Commodore Steve Gilmore, of the Royal Australian Navy, who leads Combined Task Force (CTF) 58.

During the four-hour operation, participants patrolled the waterway between Iraq and Kuwait, increasing interoperability and conducting MSO.

“We aim to detect and apprehend maritime criminals and to gain actionable intelligence leading to the ongoing disruption of criminal activities,” said Gilmore.

Task Force 58 routinely works with the Iraqi navy and marines, but this marked the first time Kuwait and Iraqi units were enrolled in MSO at the same time.

“Including the Kuwaiti coast guard contributed greatly to the intelligence preparation of the environment on illegal activity within the area of operations,” said Gilmore, the first Australian naval officer to command a maritime coalition task force in real-world operations since World War II.

The engagement resulting from Operation River Dragon provided a mechanism to create a broad-based maritime coalition actively engaged in countering threats both at sea and ashore. Almost all coalition partners contribute maritime forces, such as ships, boarding teams, maritime patrol aircraft, intelligence analysts and staff augmentees to support ongoing operations. Local countries have a vested interest in interoperability, intelligence sharing, and assistance with deterrence against international terrorist organizations that pose a threat to key infrastructure.

While patrolling the waterways, coalition forces often conduct visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations. This pressurizes the entire maritime environment, playing a significant role in shaping the environment and setting the conditions for other forces to actively and directly engage international terrorist organizations.

Capt. Naser Thamir, chief of staff of the Iraqi navy, said the exercise was a critical first step in MSO between Kuwaiti and Iraqi maritime forces. He believes increasing interoperability helps Iraq, Kuwait and the coalition achieve a common goal against a common enemy - an enemy of peace, an enemy of stability, an enemy of prosperity.

“This was the first time that we conducted this exercise, and it was a very good start for operations with our neighbors, the Kuwaitis,” said Thamir. “As with any country, it is important to cooperate with your neighbor. Ultimately, through cooperation, [Iraq and Kuwait] will be able to perform better. In reality [the exercise] exceeded its aim, allowing us to develop not only our abilities, but also our relationships.”

He added that the Iraqi navy would like to take part in future exercises that involve “all of the Arab states” and other coalition partners.

MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Operation River Dragon included CTF 58; the Iraqi navy and marines; and the Kuwaiti coast guard. The Kuwaiti navy observed the operation. Royal Australian Navy, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and Royal Navy assets currently make up Task Force 58.

CTF 58’s primary mission in the North Persian Gulf is maintaining security in and around both the Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya oil terminals (ABOT and KAAOT, respectively), in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546, which charges the multinational force with the responsibility and the authority to maintain security and stability in Iraqi territorial waters and also supports the Iraqi government’s request for security support.