Military

Commander Task Group 152 Completes Focused Ops

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070912-19
Release Date: 9/12/2007 2:42:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Tabios, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- Commander, Task Group (CTG) 152 completed focused operations in the Central Persian Gulf Sept. 7 to increase awareness amongst regional mariners of the coalition efforts to help maintain security and stability in the region.

During focused operations, coalition forces concentrated on a particular maritime traffic area to conduct interaction patrols (IPATS). IPATS are an element of maritime security operations (MSO) which help generate support and awareness of the coalition’s efforts to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment, to commercial vessels sailing in the region. Coalition forces also conduct MSOs under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region.

“We want to show local mariners that coalition forces are here to help and assure them that they can conduct their business without fear of maritime crimes,” said Lt. j.g. Ron F. Luning, CTG 152 planner.

During IPATS, coalition forces visited dhows and talked with the crews about ways the coalition can assist them should they need medical attention, engineering assistance or if they have any form of an at-sea emergency. The fishermen shared their knowledge of the local fishing and traffic patterns with coalition forces which helped enable a better situational awareness of the maritime environment.

Luning said the continued presence of and coalition forces helped create stability and security for all, from the fishermen to those engaged in international trade.

CTG 152 is led by the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHRESG) and Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 7. The BHRESG is comprised of PHIBRON 7, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Denver (LPD 9), USS Rushmore (LSD 47), USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USS Chosin (CG 65) and 2,200 combat-ready Marines of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

MSOs help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counterterrorism and security efforts in regional nations’ littoral waters.