NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain, Sept. 28, 2007 — Royal Australian Navy Commodore Allan du Toit relieved Rear Adm. Garry E. Hall as commander of Combined Task Force 158 during a ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sept. 27.
"I am honored to have been in command of this task force. The coalition forces have done an excellent job of providing security to the oil platforms and training the Iraqi forces."
Rear Adm. Garry E. Hall |
Command of CTF 158 typically rotates among coalition partners Australia, United Kingdom and the United States. The task force is comprised of coalition ships and its primary mission in the Persian Gulf is Maritime Security Operations in and around both the Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminals, in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723. This resolution charges the multinational force with the responsibility and authority to maintain security and stability in Iraqi territorial waters and also supports the Iraqi government's request for security support.
Additionally, under the training and leadership of CTF 158, Iraqi marines aboard the oil terminals train with the coalition in order to eventually assume responsibility for security.
“I am honored to have been in command of this task force,” said Hall. “The coalition forces have done an excellent job of providing security to the oil platforms and training the Iraqi forces.”
“I am very proud of the coalition forces and my staff in supporting the CTF 158 mission,” said Capt. Paul Severs, who oversaw daily operations in the Persian Gulf. “We were able to continue the hard work from the previous staffs and improve the training of the Iraqi forces. We are ready to turnover to the Australian forces and I’m sure they will have continued success.” |
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