Iraqi Navy Flagship to Set Sail
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 090429-01
April 29, 2009
Contact: pao@mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil
DSN: 318-852-8742
IRAQNA: 0780-997-5063
Iraqi Navy Flagship to Set Sail
LA SPEZIA, Italy - The Iraqi Navy has been conducting training over the last several months to prepare for the maiden voyage of the Fatah, Patrol Ship 701 in mid May. The Italian patrol ship will be reflagged to the country of Iraq on May 15.
The 34 member Iraqi crew traveled to Italy in January to begin their training on PS 701. The training encompassed all aspects of shipboard operations to ensure the crew would be ready to sail the ship from La Spezia Italy to Umm Qasr, Iraq.
The Fatah, meaning ‘Conquer’ or ‘Victory,” is the first of four Italian built ships directly contracted from the Fincantieri Shipyard in La Spezia. Fatah will be designated as the flagship of the Iraqi Navy. The lengthy transit will be the Iraqi Navy crew’s first opportunity to develop confidence with their new ship during their 5,100 nautical mile, 29 day voyage.
Fatah’s voyage will begin in Italy, transit the Mediterranean Sea, pass through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, and ultimately around the Arabian Peninsula to the port of Umm Qasr. The Italian Navy will provide an escort ship to continue training opportunities and coordinate interactions with coalition warships with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) and U.S Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT).
The Iraqi crew’s interaction with international navies in the NAVEUR and NAVCENT areas of operation is a great training opportunity for them to build confidence and assist with the Iraqi Navy mission of taking responsibility for maritime security in December 2011.
The UK led Coalition Naval Advisory and Training Team in Iraq is formulating a long range training plan with the Iraqi Navy. The goal is to develop a capable and responsive Iraqi Navy, generating a force properly organized, trained, equipped, stationed, and sustained with appropriate procedures in place to support naval forces conducting maritime security operations in the region.
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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT PAO@MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT: WWW.MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.
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