News From The Fleet

080915-N-9167V-218 MANAMA, Bahrain (September 15, 2008) - Canadian Commodore Bob Davidson (Left), outgoing Commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, (Center) Commander Combined Maritime Forces and Danish Royal Navy Commodore Per Bigum Christensen (Right), Commander, CTF 150 salute during the Canadian and Danish national anthems during a Change-of-Command ceremony held on board HMCS Iroquois Sept. 15, in Manama, Bahrain. Official U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Edward Vasquez (Released) Denmark Assumes Command of Combined Task Force 150

MANAMA, Bahrain –Danish Royal Navy Commodore Per Bigum Christensen assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 from Canadian Commodore Bob Davidson during a Change-of-Command ceremony held on board HMCS Iroquois Sept. 15, in Manama, Bahrain. more

080909-N-3610L-480 ARABIAN GULF (September 8, 2008) - - Lt. j.g. Joseph Gombos uses the radio to relay information provided by local fishermen to USS Thach (FFG 43), a guided-missile frigate sailing nearby. Thach is conducting routine interaction patrols in cooperation with Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 in the Arabian Gulf. Interaction patrols are an element of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) which help generate support and awareness amongst commercial vessels so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (AW) Torrey Lee. (RELEASED) USS Thach Promotes Maritime Security

USS Thach (FFG 43) is operating in the Arabian Gulf to help provide security and stability in the maritime environment and help create a lawful maritime order as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 152. more

USS Abraham Lincoln Departs 5th Fleet

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At sea – The Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW 2) departed the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) Sept. 3. more

cutline Reagan Launches First Sorties in Support of OEF

ABOARD USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), At Sea – The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group assumed the duties as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 50 Aug. 28, and launched its first sorties into Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. more

cutline Abraham Lincoln Hosts Chairman, CENTCOM

NORTH ARABIAN SEA -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, Commander, Multi-National Force, Iraq Army Gen. David Petraeus, Commander, International Security Assistance Force Gen. David McKiernan, Commander, Special Operations Command Adm. Eric Olson, Acting Commander, Central Command Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey and several other high-ranking military officials visited USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Aug. 26-27. more

Mullen awards HS2 Sailor the Navy/Marine Corps Medal

NORTH ARABIAN SEA -- Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen presented the Navy/Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class (AW) Jesse P. Hubble aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Aug. 27. more

NAVCENT Hosts Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain – Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), welcomed Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa to the command’s headquarters in Manama, Aug. 28. more

cutline Combined Task Force 152 Conducts Exercise Goalkeeper

MANAMA, Bahrain – Ships from Bahrain, the U.K. and the U.S. are currently conducting Exercise Goalkeeper in the Central and Southern Arabian Gulf to train across the spectrum of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). more

Maritime Security Patrol Area to be Established

MANAMA, Bahrain – The Commander, U.S. Naval Central Command has directed the establishment of a Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) in the Gulf of Aden. A force of Coalition Navy warships will patrol the area, and aircraft will fly in the airspace above. more

cutline USS Firebolt Makes Port Visit to Iraq

UMM QASR, Iraq – As part of Iraq Navy Day celebrations, USS Firebolt (PC 10) made a port visit to Umm Qasr, Iraq Aug. 13, marking the first visit by a U.S. ship to Iraq in more than 15 months. more

081108-N-8403A-064 MANAMA, Bahrain (August 11, 2008) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Gary Roughead speaks to Sailors during an all-hands call held at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. Roughead and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), Joe R. Campa Jr. are on a 12-day tour, meeting with Sailors and discussing Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help develop security in the maritime environment, promoting regional stability and global prosperity. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jennifer Apsey (RELEASED) Chief of Naval Operations, MCPON Visit Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain - Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa Jr. visited Bahrain August 10-12 to meet with U.S. and Coalition leaders and Sailors currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. more