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U.S. Marine Corps General Leads Coalition Task Force in North Persian Gulf

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060413-11
Release Date: 4/13/2006 1:31:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW/AW) Jay Price, Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS PELELIU, At Sea (NNS) -- U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen, who leads Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3, now commands Combined Task Force (CTF) 58 after having relieved Royal Navy Commodore Bruce Williams April 10.

CTF 58, a multinational task force charged with conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the North Persian Gulf, includes naval forces from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. In addition, the Iraqi navy and marines are fully integrated with coalition assets.

MSO seek to preserve the free and secure use of the world's oceans by legitimate mariners and prevent terrorists from attempting to use the maritime environment as a venue for attack or as a medium to transport personnel, weapons or other illicit material.

“Maritime security operations encompass a wide range of actions and responsibilities,” said Jensen. “ESG 3, in conjunction with our coalition partners, will conduct coordinated maritime operations in the area to provide security, which will in turn promote regional economic stability and prosperity.

“Further, we’ll do everything in our power to facilitate the development and close integration of Iraqi maritime forces,” Jensen added.

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.

The oil terminals are significant sources of revenue for the Iraqi people, revenue that is important to the rebuilding of Iraq. Iraqi security forces, working with U.S. Navy security teams, continue to remain aboard the terminals, protecting the Iraqi infrastructure.

Navy ships from four countries and U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats make up the task force. USS Peleliu (LHA 5) will serve as Jensen’s flagship, marking the second time a U.S. Marine general has flown his flag over a U.S. Navy ship as part of an expeditionary strike group in the North Persian Gulf.

“Frankly, I’m humbled by the assignment and would be quite apprehensive if I didn’t have a strike group’s worth of magnificent Sailors and Marines behind me,” said Jensen. “Fortunately, I stand upon the shoulders of giants.”