• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

NAVCENT and CTF 59 Flex Crisis Response Capabilities

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070927-05
Release Date: 9/27/2007 12:22:00 PM

From Combined Task Force 59 Public Affairs

U.S. NAVAL FORCES CENTRAL COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, Bahrain (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and Combined Task Force (CTF) 59 kicked off a crisis response table-top exercise Sept. 23 to sharpen procedures and capabilities to respond to a crisis in the region if support is requested.

CTF 59 is NAVCENT’s crisis response task force, which is responsible for planning and executing contingency operations in the region including disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, oil spill response, noncombatant evacuation and foreign consequence management.

The table-top discussions are the first phase of a two-part crisis response exercise and focus on the planning process. The second phase will run operational assets through the motions of putting the plan into action by moving ships and equipment.

“This exercise gives us an excellent opportunity to see how we can improve the process of quickly responding to a request for assistance from regional nations due to a crisis,” said Rear Adm. Garry Hall, commander, CTF 59. “Coalition maritime assets are flexible enough to continue the Maritime Security Operations mission while simultaneously equipped to help deliver relief supplies, provide medical support, and assist with clean up efforts to any regional nation that requests our help. We’re proud to provide this team effort.”

The exercise scenario is of a tropical cyclone that devastates a notional regional nation, destroying its critical infrastructure, shutting down the international airport, desalination and electrical plants, and displacing thousands of citizens. Additionally, the scenario includes an oil spill from a damaged tanker at sea.

“The scenario is very challenging, but that helps us be prepared for a real-world event,” said Cmdr. Jay Chambers, plans officer of CTF 59. “From the table-top discussions, which draw up the plans for how our forces will assist, to turning those plans into action, this exercise allows us to examine the best way to proceed, and to proceed quickly, with providing assistance to the requesting nation.”

The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain is also participating in the exercise.

“In case of a real-world event, we will receive the request for assistance through the State Department and U.S. Embassy,” said Chambers. “So, it’s important to involve the U.S. embassy in the exercise. In a time of crisis, they will be informing us of exactly what type of assistance is needed to the requesting nation.”

Many factors come into play during an emergency, said Chambers.

“Time is the most critical element when a disaster strikes,” said Chambers. “The sooner we respond and provide assistance, the better chance of saving lives.”

CTF 59 is made up of members from Expeditionary Strike Group 2, which is currently forward deployed to Bahrain.