Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Smith | USS Anzio (CG 68) Command Master Chief (SW/AW) William Seegars talks to Iraqi navy...... read more read more
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By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Christopher T. Smith
MINA SALMAN, Bahrain - The senior noncommissioned officer (NCO) of the Iraqi navy's surface component toured U.S. Navy ships, Feb. 26.
Iraqi navy Chief Warrant Officer 2nd Class Abdul Majeed joined former U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet Command Master Chief Kelly Schneider for tours aboard USS Anzio (CG 68) and USS Whirlwind (PC 11).
During the tours, Majeed was shown each ship's bridge, offensive weapon systems, defense countermeasure systems, deck fittings and even exercise equipment. Most of Majeed's visit, however, was spent talking with each ship's senior enlisted service member.
Anzio's command master chief and Whirlwind's command master chief greeted Majeed on their respective quarterdecks. Schneider said this interaction with senior-enlisted U.S. Sailors is critical to the growth of the Iraqi navy.
"This is one of the very-first groundbreaking events where we could bring an Iraqi noncommissioned officer to Bahrain to talk to me and other fellow chief petty officers about the role of the NCO, how they're used and how they're respected in our Navy," said Schneider. "This is the beginning stage of building that close relationship with a partner nation, which is critical to the stability of the region."
While aboard Whirlwind, the ship's commanding officer explained to Majeed that the patrol craft's Sailors serve many different roles aboard the ship. For example, Whirlwind's command master chief is also the ship's medic.
"I was really surprised by that," Majeed said through an interpreter.
In the Iraqi navy, a sailor is trained to perform one role, and he never deviates from that duty, Majeed explained. Majeed's specialty is diving, and his qualification is equivalent to a U.S. Navy master diver. He said he thought the diversity among U.S. Sailors is a great asset to the U.S. Navy.
"One of the most important aspects of building an effective military organization is putting the right people with the right skills in the right place," Schneider said. "Without an NCO core, the people who serve will never reach their full potential. NCOs help create a capable military force that provides the protection, safety and security of its borders."
Anzio is on a six-month deployment to the 5th Fleet area of operations. Whirlwind is forward-deployed to Bahrain. Both ships are supporting Maritime Security Operations (MSO).
MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or as a transport for personnel, weapons or other material.
| Date Taken: | 02.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.05.2007 12:53 |
| Story ID: | 9326 |
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| Web Views: | 75 |
| Downloads: | 25 |
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