Multiple Countries Conclude Maritime Symposium
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080229-20
Release Date: 2/29/2008 1:48:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin Tidwell, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command concluded a three-day Maritime Infrastructure Protection Symposium (MIPS) Feb. 26, which brought together many industry professionals, security personnel and maritime corporations with regional and coalition partners.
MIPS is designed to improve the defense and crisis response of partner, coalition and infrastructure-related organizations. Presentations ranged from identifying and detecting infrastructure threats to the private sectors role in maritime security.
"Due to the large amount of infrastructure, particularly in this area, businesses and regional nations cannot defend and protect everything without help," said Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff, commander, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). "CMF is comprised of some 20 nations who focus on Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and working together to deny the use of the seas for terror," he said during the symposium's opening.
Dr. Robert Mullen, MIPS presenter and member of the Critical Infrastructure Working Group, said many threats that endanger maritime infrastructures, are organized crime syndicates, rogue military groups and terrorist organizations that can attack anywhere.
"Assaults on these targets have occurred in the high seas, in maritime economic exclusion zones, navigable rivers and in territorial waters, including ports, roads and anchorages," he said.
Mullen also added that not all threats are easily identifiable.
"Attackers have used innocent-appearing vessels to approach their targets," he said. "This tactic was used in the attack against the crude oil tanker Limburg in the Gulf of Aden, along with the USS Cole, and in two attempted attacks against Kwar Al Amaya and Al Basrah oil terminals in the Arabian Gulf."
The Arabian Gulf is a body of water more commonly known as the Persian Gulf.
Some of the symposiums presentations centered on operations in government and private sectors focusing on the protection of infrastructures in the North Persian Gulf.
"It is important to conduct defensive operations in the [North Persian Gulf] in order to contribute economic development, maintenance of security and stability and return of territorial waters and critical infrastructures," said Australian Commodore Allan du Toit, commander, Combined Task Force 158.
Speakers also presented global solutions to infrastructure security.
"Critical infrastructures are defined as those infrastructures with an important role in ensuring security for the functioning of systems and unfolding of economic, social, political, informational and military processes," said Dr. Liviu Muresan, European Institute for Risk, Security and Communication Management.
The symposium concluded with Cosgriff recommending a collaborative approach to maritime infrastructure protection, such as bi-lateral and multi-national exercise scenarios involving attacks against port infrastructures, coastal refineries, narcotics trafficking and smuggling of people and equipment for an attack against gas and oil terminals.
The exercise would require participants to gather, analyze and exchange information to solve the various scenarios.
"If a small piece of information isn't shared, that could be the critical link in the overall puzzle," said Joe Vann, U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service agent and MIPS speaker.
Cosgriff said collaborating to conduct maritime security and protect valuable infrastructures is necessary for regional stability.
"Stability is that environment where countries, businesses and ordinary people can interact together peacefully," he said. "In this part of the world, stability is essential to local prosperity, not to mention global economic well being, and an indispensable part of this region's economy hinges on maritime infrastructure."
MSO help set the conditions for security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
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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