U.S. Navy Takes the Reins of CTF 158 from Royal Australian Navy
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061115-10
Release Date: 11/15/2006 4:59:00 PM
By Lt. Karen E. Eifert, Commander, Task Force 59 Public Affairs
OCEAN 6, At Sea (NNS) -- Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158 for the second time this year when he relieved Royal Australian Navy Commodore Peter Lockwood Nov. 12 aboard Ocean 6, the first floating command barge anchored in the North Persian Gulf (NPG).
Jensen previously commanded CTF 158 prior to relinquishing command to the Royal Australian Navy June 23. Since then, Jensen and CTF 59 took part in contingency operations, including the assisted departure of nearly 15,000 American citizens from Beirut in July and bilateral exercises with foreign militaries.
Jensen said he looks forward to operating in the Northern Gulf region again.
“We’re coming out here determined and focused because we know we need to be ready for anything that may come our way,” said Jensen. “We have an incredibly [motivated] team that’s ready to continue the watch.”
CTF 158 is specifically responsible for conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the NPG, which help protect Iraq’s Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal and Al Basra Oil Terminal.
MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the NPG and protect Iraq’s sea-based infrastructure, which provides the Iraqi people the opportunity for self-determination.
Multinational forces, which include naval assets from the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, assist Iraq in providing year-round, 24-hour protection to the oil terminals. The U.S. and coalition forces have done so for the past three years.
“Every ship that comes up here can see what needs to be done,” said Lockwood. “The mission stares them in the face, and they know what they have to do.”
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