Royal Bahraini Air Force General Visits USS Iwo Jima
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS081111-12
Release Date: 11/11/2008 4:51:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Michael Starkey, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Royal Bahrain Air Force Brig. Gen. Maher Al-Musallam and other Bahraini officers paid a visit to the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Nov. 5.
During their visit, Al-Musallam was given a tour of the ship and observed a briefing and demonstration on the U.S. Navy's search-and-rescue (SAR) capability.
"We visited Iwo Jima to see state-of-the-art equipment used in search-and-rescue missions," said Al-Musallam. "We enjoyed viewing the aircraft and the search-and-rescue equipment demonstrations. We plan to have our own search-and-rescue helicopter by the end of 2009."
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 conducts SAR operations while embarked aboard Iwo Jima and conducted the SAR equipment demonstration for the Bahrainis.
"Without the search-and-rescue detachment aboard amphibious ships, the air combat element would not be able to conduct their mission," said Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Krieger, SAR detachment officer-in-charge. "With MH-60s flying, Marines and Sailors can rest easy knowing that we're here to uphold the search-and-rescue swimmers' motto: 'So others may live.'"
Iwo Jima is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO helps develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements 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 Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.
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