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Commander U.K. Maritime Forces Visits USS Cape St. George

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060120-06
Release Date: 1/20/2006 11:01:00 AM

By Ensign Robin Roberts, USS Cape St. George Public Affairs

USS CAPE ST. GEORGE, At Sea (NNS) -- British Rear Adm. Neil Morisetti, commander, United Kingdom Maritime Forces visited USS Cape St. George (CG 71), its crew and the staff of Commander Task Force (CTF) 58, commanded by British Commodore Bruce Williams, Jan. 14.

Morisetti received briefs from the staff of CTF 58, reviewing the coalition’s maritime security operations (MSO) in the North Persian Gulf.

“To have the opportunity to welcome the senior naval leadership of the United Kingdom highlights to the crew how important our mission of bringing security and stability to the [Persian] Gulf is,” said Capt. James R. Yohe, Cape’s commanding officer.

CTF 58 maintains security in and around both Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya oil terminals; sets the conditions for security and stability in Iraqi territorial waters and supports the Iraqi government’s request for security assistance in the maritime environment. MSO complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations and deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

CTF 58 consists of Cape St. George, USS Austin (LPD 4), HMS Montrose (F 236), HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154) and several Navy coastal patrol boats and Coast Guard cutters.

“It was important to show Rear Adm. Morisetti our task and demonstrate true reliability of the Royal and U.S. Navy coalition on the front lines in the completion of a task, which if failed has strategic consequences for an entire country,” said British Capt. Paul McAlpine, commander, Task Group 58.1. “This was important recognition of coalition and staff efforts and allowed Rear Adm. Morisetti to ‘see the ground.’ His visit could not have been more successful.”

“Rear Adm. Morisetti’s interest and expressed gratitude for our service was greatly appreciated by all,” said Yohe.

Cape St. George currently serves as the flagship for CTF 58 while conducting MSO in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations. Cape St. George left Norfolk, Va., Nov. 7 for a six-month deployment as part of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).