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Maritime Infrastructure Protection Exercise Achieving Multinational Goals

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080709-06
Release Date: 7/9/2008 4:32:00 PM

From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

USS PEARL HARBOR, At Sea (NNS) -- Ships from Bahrain, the United Kingdom and the United States are conducting Exercise Stake Net to protect key economic infrastructure in the central and southern Persian Gulf.

Operating as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 152, Stake Net ensures lawful maritime order and works to improve relationships between regional partners.

"The aim of Exercise Stake Net is to practice the tactics and procedures of protecting maritime infrastructure such as gas and oil installations, in addition to demonstrating the Combined Maritime Forces' (CMF) commitment to work with regional nations to promote legitimate use of the maritime environment," said Royal Navy Commodore Peter Hudson, commander, CTF 152.

Coalition units participating in the exercise include HMS Montrose (F 236), USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), USS Curts (FFG 38), RBNS Al-Taweelah (TNC45 23) and other regional navies.

Hudson, who assumed command of CTF 152 from Royal Bahrain Navy Brig. Gen. Abdulla Saeed Al-Mansoori June 4 explained that Stake Net is a significant test for all the units involved.

"Exercise Stake Net is very important because there is a need for coordination among Gulf nations and coalition partners to provide protection for the critical oil and gas infrastructure in the region," Hudson said.

CTF 152 conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the region to assist regional nations in their efforts to counter terrorism and terrorist-linked maritime criminal activities. These operations are intended to deny terrorists and criminals the use of the sea. By integrating with regional maritime forces, the coalition learn from each other and improve safety and security, with consequent benefits to the regional economy.

MSO help develop 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/.