• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Commodore Miranda Leads Coalition Task Group 58.1 in Pesian Gulf

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050902-10
Release Date: 9/2/2005 7:34:00 AM

By Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Curt Cooper, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Capt. Hank Miranda relieved Royal Australian Navy Capt. Stu Mayer as commander, Task Group (CTG) 58.1 Aug. 13.

Miranda stressed the three-pronged mission of CTG 58.1 in support of maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf.

“The mission of CTG 58.1 is, first and foremost, the defense of the Al Basra (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya (KAAOT) oil terminals,” said Miranda. “These two oil platforms represent the number one offload area of Iraqi oil to the rest of the world. This is were they generate most of the country’s income.”

The oil terminals are significant sources of revenue for the Iraqi people – revenue that is important to the rebuilding of Iraq. Iraqi security forces continue to remain on board the terminals, protecting Iraqi infrastructure.

In addition to the defense of the ABOT and KAAOT platforms, CTG 58.1 is also tasked with training the Iraqi Navy and the new Iraqi Marine Corps in MSO so they can one day provide security for the platforms themselves.

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.

“MSO is very important because it [covers] the ingress and egress to Iraq’s ports. This port is Iraq’s connection to the rest of the world. The majority of Iraq’s imports and exports come from this area right here,” said Miranda.

Miranda leads a coalition team that includes vessels from the Navy, Coast Guard, Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the Iraqi Navy.

“On any given day in the 5th Fleet area of operations, a third of our forces are from allied and coalition navies,” said Miranda. “So the coalition plays a huge role in supporting our efforts in the region, to maintain security, and to maintain the freedom of commerce in the area.”

In maintaining strong bonds for interoperability, Miranda is an advocate of frequent Sailor exchanges with British and Australian sailors.

“They see how we live on board the ship, what our routine is like and vice-versa. It’s a nice change of pace for the Sailor and an absolute morale builder,” Miranda said.