VARIOUS: IRAQIS SAIL ABOARD A UNITED STATES' SHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME TO JOIN IN NAVAL EXERCISES IN THE GULF

Record ID: 338376

  • Title: VARIOUS: IRAQIS SAIL ABOARD A UNITED STATES' SHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME TO JOIN IN NAVAL EXERCISES IN THE GULF
  • Date: 26th March 2005
  • Summary: (BN03)MANAMA, BAHRAIN (22 MARCH 2005)(REUTERS) 1. MV FOUR IRAQI OFFICERS WALKING INTO US NAVAL COMMAND CENTRE SIGN ABOVE DOOR READS: COMMANDER U.S. NAVAL FORCES CENTRAL COMMAND U.S. FIFTH FLEET 0.27 2. SOUNDBITE (ARABIC) OF ADIL HASSOUN HAFETH, IRAQI NAVY CAPTAIN, SAYING: " The Iraqi Navy is present as observers and not active participants and we were asked to come here and of course this is the first time for Iraqis to take part in this sort of training in the Gulf. This is a very good step for us to join other Arab Navies as well as the coalition maritime forces so that we can be organized to work with each other in this region." 1.02 AT SEA (MARCH 22, 2005)(REUTERS) 3. AV USS DULUTH; EXTERIOR SHOT ON DECK OF USS DULUTH 1.18 4. SLV INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH GCC OBSERVERS AND PARTICIPANTS IN CAFETERIA OF SHIP; SCU EGYPTIAN PARTICIPANTS; CU EGYPTIAN EMBLEM ON SHOULDER BADGE; MEETING 1.47 5. SLV PAN FROM COMMODORE TOBIAS TO IRAQI OBSERVERS SEATED DURING CONFERENCE MEETING; SCU QATARI OBSERVER; SCU U.A.E. OBSERVER 2.14 (BN03)AT SEA (MARCH 23, 2005)(REUTERS) 6. SLV AMERICAN SAILORS LOADING SHIP'S WEAPON WITH AMMUNITION GUN TURRET 2.35 7. SCU AMERICAN SAILORS IN NAVIGATION BRIDGE OF SHIP; LAS EXTERIOR OF SHIP'S RADAR 2.56 8. MV U.A.E. OBSERVERS ON DECK 3.01 9. SLV /SCU KUWAITI OFFICIAL AND DIVERS AND OFFICIAL CONSULTING WITH AMERICAN MARINE 3.20 10. SLV OMANI OFFICIAL AND DIVERS BOARDING HELICOPTER 3.31 11. MV INTERIOR OF HELICOPTER LIFTING OFF DECK; US MARINE AND OMANI OFFICIAL IN HELICOPTER 3.53 12. AV OMANI DIVERS CONDUCTING MINE COUNTERMEASURE EXERCISE USING HELICOPTER 4.17 (BN03)AT SEA (MARCH 24, 2005)(REUTERS) 13. MV IRAQI OBSERVERS AND USS THATCH NEARBY 4.33 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 10th April 2005 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MANAMA, BAHRAIN AND AT SEA
  • City:
  • Country: AT SEA Bahrain
  • Reuters ID: LVA2OBWQ40YR0XJ7M4ZZLYWQCLTH
  • Story Text: Iraqis sail aboard a US ship for the first time, to
    join in naval exercises in the Gulf.

    Navy personnel from 13 countries kicked off Exercise
    Arabian Gauntlet 2005 on board USS Duluth in Manama,
    Bahrain. Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and Arab countries
    including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates,
    Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar are using the latest
    in tactical detection and deterrent measures designed to
    improve and sharpen Maritime Security Operations.

    Iraq took part in this year's exercise for the first time
    by sending two observers on board the USS Duluth, an
    amphibious transport ship that serves as the command
    platform for the multinational exercise. Iraq's involvement
    is seen as a great opportunity to develop the military.

    "This is a very good step for us to join other Arab Navies
    as well as the coalition maritime forces so that we can be
    organized to work with each other in this region," said
    Captain Adil Hassoun Hafeth, who has been a part of the
    Iraqi navy since 1981.

    The American Navy has been training over 500 Iraqi navy men
    at the Port of Umm Qasr since October 2004 to patrol the
    coast and secure oil platforms. Iraqis are expected to be
    prepared to fully participate in Arabian Gauntlet 2007.

    Oman and Kuwait conducted operations this year by sending
    divers to sharpen their sea mine countermeasure skills.

    Accompanied by American Marines, they were transported by
    helicopter off the deck of the ship to an area where mock
    mines were planted in the water. They were then dropped off
    the helicopter and sent on a mission to assess and detonate
    the mines.

    The Arabian Gauntlet is a training opportunity initiated by
    the US to enhance the interoperability of coalition and
    regional allies to deter terrorist attacks that may take
    place using seaborne access. Although the exercise took
    place at a 'choke point' a tight maritime area located
    between the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, surrounded
    by the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Iran, officials say that they
    are not on high alert for maritime attacks in the region in
    particular at this time.


    "Well we take the approach that we need to be ready anytime
    anywhere and I couldn't say whether or not there's a more
    prevalent threat here versus anywhere else in the world
    right now," said Commodore Frank Tobias.

    More than 3,000 people and 19 ships in total are involved
    in this year's Arabian Gauntlet withy troops and ships from
    France, Australia, Pakistan, the United States and other
    allies. The exercise runs through March 29th.


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