First Sea Lord Opens the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force

First Sea Lord Opens the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force

UMM QASR, Iraq -- The rebuilding of Iraq took another step forward June 12 as the newly formed Iraqi Coastal Defense Force took control of its assets at Umm Qasr naval base.

British, American, Australian and Dutch naval personnel have been training the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force since January.

Iraqi officials and numerous military dignitaries presided over the ceremony. The handover include giving the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force five fast patrol boats and 10 rigid inflatable boats.

The ICDF will police the Iraqi coastline and territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles, countering terrorism, smuggling, piracy and other unlawful activities and provide a limited search-and-rescue capability. Officials said the ICDF will provide Iraq's maritime security therefore increasing trade and reducing crime.

The ceremony also marked a step in the ICDF's training away from the core skills and toward actually conducting operations in the northern gulf.

Release #040612c

1 posted on 06/14/2004 7:38:00 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: TEXOKIE; xzins; Alamo-Girl; blackie; SandRat; Calpernia; SAMWolf; prairiebreeze; MEG33; ...

2 posted on 06/14/2004 7:40:36 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl ("Let it be said that we, too..worked together to bring America through difficult times." - R. Reagan)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

This is really some good news and a major step forward in our task of rebuilding Iraq.

Let's pray the new Coastal Defense Force always remains faithful to those who brought their nation liberty.

3 posted on 06/14/2004 7:42:22 AM PDT by Happy2BMe (Ronald Reagan to Islamic Terrorism: YOU CAN RUN - BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE!)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Cool, I wonder if John sKerry will show up and demonstrate the skill needed to operate these fast boats while receiving only trival wounds that could garner great honors?

4 posted on 06/14/2004 7:42:25 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (never surrender, this is for the kids)

5 posted on 06/14/2004 7:58:09 AM PDT by mindburglar

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

6 posted on 06/14/2004 7:58:34 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Okay, call me a sarcastic cynic, but...

British, American, Australian and Dutch naval personnel have been training the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force since January.

Are you sure this part is true? I mean, I haven't heard a peep out of the Times organization that this has been happening. I thought the only thing going on in that part of Iraq was protests, suicide bombings, and attacks by radical militias...

7 posted on 06/14/2004 8:18:44 AM PDT by HiJinx (Go with courage, go with honor, go in God's good Grace. Come home when it's time. We'll be here.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

8 posted on 06/14/2004 8:46:25 AM PDT by windchime (Podesta about Bush: "He's got four years to try to undo all the stuff we've done." (TIME-1/22/01))

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

9 posted on 06/14/2004 9:11:58 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out)

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