NAVCENT Hosts Coalition Boarding Conference

Photo By Lt. Seth Clarke | Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Schmitz and Information Technician 2nd Class Brendan Dunn of the U.S. Coast Guard Middle East Training Team demonstrate techniques used by Coast Guard boarding teams on patrol in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility to participants in the Combined Maritime Forces boarding conference. The conference presented participants the opportunity to exchange ideas about vessel boarding techniques and procedures with Coalition partners from several nations.  

11.28.2007

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Clarke 

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Clarke

COMBINED MARITIME FORCES HEADQUARTERS, Bahrain – Naval representatives from 11 coalition countries attended a Combined Maritime Forces boarding conference at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command headquarters, Nov. 27 and 28.

Countries participating in the conference included Canada, Netherlands, Pakistan, Denmark, New Zealand, UK, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Bahrain and the U.S.

Boarding operations enable CMF countries to protect their common interests by preventing human trafficking and the smuggling of energy products, arms and illegal drugs.

The semiannual conference presented participants the opportunity to exchange ideas about vessel boarding techniques and procedures with coalition partners from several nations. The sharing of knowledge and expertise helps ensure the continued success of boarding teams working to help maintain the conditions of security and stability in the region.

CMF Senior National Representative for Netherlands Navy, Cmdr. Wilco A. Kramer, said the overall aim of the conference was to share their best practices, ideas and experiences.

"It's like a family barbecue," Kramer said. "Everyone brings their own favorite dish. Then, at the end of the barbecue, everyone exchanges recipes so that all future barbecues will be that much better."

Representatives from the Danish and Pakistani navies shared their own procedures and approaches to Maritime Security Operations and vessel boarding operations. Pakistan is currently in command of Combined Task Force 150, which conducts MSO in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Denmark is slated to assume command of CTF 150 at the conclusion of Pakistan's command.

In addition to learning what other forces had to say about tactics and procedures, the conference attendees visited the U.S. Coast Guard Middle East Training Team facility at the Mina Salman Port in Manama, Bahrain. METT members demonstrated a number of various techniques used by Coast Guard boarding teams on patrol in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

"Boarding teams are the primary weapons system of Maritime Security Operations," Kramer said. "By the nature of the maritime environment, the only time you can meet people on commerical ships—to talk to other mariners face-to-face—is during a boarding, approach or visit. Because boardings are such an important tool, it is critical that our coalition forces learn from each other on a regular basis."

Coalition forces conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.

Capt. George Cox, CMF Chief of Staff, said the commercial fishermen and other mariners in the 5th Fleet AOR value the work being done by CMF forces in the Arabian Gulf.

"People in the Gulf are always telling us how much they appreciate having coalition ships around, because we provide protection from thugs," Cox said.

Cox said the conference provided the opportunity to ask each other about the different ways their many countries patrol the seas.

"That's why it's nice to have all these uniforms here, to have good things to talk about," Cox said. "This was a chance for everyone in the room to tell everyone else here how they go about their business."

Kramer said that while the conference brought together a great mixture of participants, he anticipates future conferences will focus on specific and specialized training.

"At the end of the day, the attendees said that they enjoyed the conference. When you look at the group, you see many nationalities coming together and exchanging ideas, trading thoughts and business cards," Kramer observed. "This meeting has been quite successful."

• Date Taken: 11.28.2007
• Date Posted: 11.28.2007 11:26
• Story ID: 14256