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U.S. Turns Over Combined Task Force 158 to Australian Forces

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070927-16
Release Date: 9/27/2007 3:58:00 PM

From Combined Task Force 158 Public Affairs

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain (NNS) -- Royal Australian Navy Commodore Allan du Toit relieved Rear Adm. Garry E. Hall as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158 during a ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain Sept. 27.

Command of CTF 158 typically rotates among coalition partners Australia, United Kingdom and the United States. CTF 158 is comprised of coalition ships and its primary mission in the Persian Gulf is Maritime Security Operations (MSO) 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 1723. This resolution charges the multinational force with the responsibility and authority to maintain security and stability in Iraqi territorial waters and also supports the Iraqi government's request for security support.

Additionally, under the training and leadership of CTF 158, Iraqi marines aboard ABOT and KAAOT train with the coalition in order to eventually assume responsibility for security.

“I am honored to have been in command of this task force,” said Hall. “The coalition forces have done an excellent job of providing security to the oil platforms and training the Iraqi forces.”

“I am very proud of the coalition forces and my staff in supporting the CTF 158 mission,” said Capt. Paul Severs, who oversaw daily operations in the Persian Gulf. “We were able to continue the hard work from the previous staffs and improve the training of the Iraqi forces. We are ready to turnover to the Australian forces and I’m sure they will have continued success.”

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the Persian Gulf and protect Iraq's sea-based infrastructure, which provides the Iraqi people the opportunity for self-determination. Iraq's oil platforms account for about 90 percent of the country's gross domestic product.