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Harbeson Relieves Miranda as DESRON 50 Commodore

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060327-08
Release Date: 3/27/2006 3:47:00 PM

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. Jeffrey Harbeson relieved Capt. Enrique F. Miranda as Commander, Middle East Force/Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50 in a change of command ceremony aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Wrangell (WPB 1332) March 24.

“This is a unique DESRON in that we don’t have any destroyers in the destroyer squadron,” said Miranda. “We are also the only combatant command in the world that has direct operational control over Coast Guard forces.”

DESRON 50 became the first destroyer squadron to be permanently forward-deployed in the Persian Gulf region when it was reestablished Nov. 30, 1994.

In the absence of a carrier strike group, DESRON 50 serves as Commander, Middle East Force Surface Action Group, in charge of the U.S and coalition forces’ role in maritime security operations (MSO). Additionally, DESRON 50 coordinates the Navy's extensive regional exercise program for surface combatants, working with coalition and allied forces in the Gulf region.

“Maritime security operations create an environment where free trade can exist, so that a ship, regardless of its flag, can get from point A to point B safely,” said Miranda.

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.

Miranda also served as Commander, Task Group 58.1 in the North Persian Gulf, where he led a coalition force charged with the security of the Al Basra and Khawr Al Amaya oil terminals.

“These two oil platforms represent the number one offload area of Iraqi oil to the rest of the world. This is where they generate most of the country's income,” he said.

During Miranda’s tenure, DESRON 50 assets also rescued 89 people after the vessel they were in capsized in the waters of the Gulf of Aden 25 miles off the coast of Somalia April 29.

“The strength of DESRON 50 is its staff,” said Harbeson. "There is a highly talented group of individuals who have been doing this for a while, and they do a tremendous job working with our allies and coalition partners."

In the time honored tradition of the change of command ceremony, Miranda and Harbeson read their respective orders, and with a hand salute, the leadership of DESRON 50 changed hands.

“I don’t know who said command is a lonely thing,” said Miranda. "There are 1,200 people in DESRON 50 on any given day that did everything I asked to support the mission."