Combined Maritime Forces Commander Meets With Japanese Media
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080220-14
Release Date: 2/20/2008 2:50:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bobby Northnagle, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), met with Japanese media Feb. 19 to discuss resumption of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) refueling mission.
Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff, commander, Combined Maritime Forces met with the media at CMF headquarters. The refueling mission is in support of coalition Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cosgriff said Japan plays a key vital role in coalition operations.
"JMSDF's contribution of fuel helps the other ships in the coalition stay on station at sea to perform their missions," said Cosgriff. "Having a ship at sea that can provide fuel to other ships is a pretty important contribution to any seagoing coalition."
Although CMF didn't forego any missions, Cosgriff said brief loss of the at-sea Japanese fuel from the coalition did have impact.
"Ships that ordinarily could have refueled at sea and stayed at sea to conduct operations had to go into port," he said. "I had to manage refueling the ships more closely."
CMF is comprised of 20 nations including Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, the U.S. and the U.K. who work together to deny violent extremists the use of the sea.
MSO are focused on counter-terrorism; defense of offshore and onshore maritime systems and infrastructure; counter-smuggling; counter-piracy; and upholding international rights and freedom.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.
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