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Coalition Exercise Builds Unity in the North Arabian Sea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080423-08
Release Date: 4/23/2008 1:29:00 PM

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

RBNS SABHA, North Arabian Sea (NNS) -- The Royal Bahraini Navy (RBN), along with U.S. and coalition forces conducted Exercise Arabian Shark, April 15-17 in the North Arabian Sea.

The multilateral exercise, led by Combined Task Force (CTF) 152, brought together RBNS Sabha (FFG 90), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships. The exercise focused on building coalition interoperability and improving anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities.

"Arabian Shark was an opportunity to build coalition interoperability in the region between Bahrain, the United States and other partners," said Lt. Cmdr. Peter Halvorsen, Destroyer Squadron 26 operations officer. "As a single event, it focused on improving ASW capabilities, as well as building more robust command and control procedures, which each of the participants can take back to their respective navies and offer lessons learned for future interaction."

Sabha's commanding officer noted the exercise would help improve his ship's ability to conduct ASW.

"We look forward to the increased level of training and proficiency of our own ASW teams by cooperating with surface and air assets in an ASW environment," he said. "Sabha is an ASW asset; she was built for this role and will conduct basic ASW operations in the future, such as submarine tracking."

He also highlighted the importance of coalition exercises like Arabian Shark.

"The sea is vast and difficult for any single navy to maintain a thorough and expeditious search; hence, the need for a multinational task force that is well trained, and the need for such exercises as Arabian Shark," he said.

Arabian Shark also provided a great opportunity for Sailors from different countries and backgrounds to learn crucial skills from each other and hone the art of interoperability.

"We hope to leave the exercise both improving our ASW proficiency and strengthening partnerships," said Halvorsen. "In addition to ASW events, we conducted a close maneuvering drill, cross-deck opportunities with other nation's helicopters and brought officers from other navies aboard to enhance their bond with us."

Bahrain assumed command of CTF 152 on March 4, marking the first time coalition forces have been commanded by a Gulf nation. CTF 152 is responsible for conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Central and Southern Persian Gulf.

"Bahrain's leadership of CTF 152 has been very successful and has improved cooperation in maritime security within the region," said Halvorsen.

MSO helps develop the conditions for security in the maritime environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism 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/.