AL DAAYEN, Qatar – Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces visited Landside Base Daayen, in Al Daayen, Qatar, for its grand opening, July 14.
Though the base is owned and operated by the Qatar Coasts and Borders Security Department (CBSD), the base was designed to increase capability and interoperability between the CBSD, Qatari Navy and Coast Guard, and U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
Following a maritime demonstration and Pass in Review of Qatari Navy, Coast Guard and CBSD vessels during the opening ceremony, Malloy thanked the Qataris for their hospitality and looks forward to future opportunities to strengthen the U.S. and Qatar relationship.
“Enhancing and defending regional maritime security is our number one priority, and it can only be achieved by working collectively with our regional and global partners. Celebrating the opening of this base, highlights the impressive improvements in the capability and capacity of one our most reliable and trusted regional partners.” said Malloy. “The free flow of commerce in the maritime is critical to this region and the world, and in order for us to preserve and defend it, our relationships between and amongst regional maritime forces must also deepen. To me, this base represents all that is good about our enduring and growing partnership with Qatar’s superb Coast Guard and Navy, and I am honored and grateful to celebrate with my brothers today.”
U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.