“Saudi Navy Takes the Helm: Leading Combined Task Force 152 and Coalition Task Force Sentinel”
The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) formally assumed command of Combined Task Force 152 from the Royal Bahrain Naval Force and took over the Coalition Task Force Sentinel from the British Royal Navy.
As reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), this transition occurred during an official ceremony held on Sunday at the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet’s Naval Support Base in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The handover event was graced by the Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Rear Admiral Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Ghufaily, the Commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command and US Fifth Fleet, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the Commander of the Royal Bahraini Navy, Rear Admiral Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, along with several ambassadors and diplomats present in Manama.
Vice Admiral Cooper stressed in his address the significance of the role played by Combined Task Force 152 in safeguarding maritime navigation and fostering peace in the region.
Cooper commended the efficacy and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and their achievements in various collaborative international operations.
Captain Fahad bin Mar’i Al-Omari of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces officially took command of Combined Task Force 152 from Captain Mohammed Al-Meer of the Royal Bahraini Navy. He later declared the “full preparedness of the naval forces to execute their responsibilities in leading the task force.”
Likewise, Commodore Saleh bin Awad Al-Oufi of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces took the helm of the “Guardian” Force from Commodore Peter Louden of the British Royal Navy.
Al-Oufi remarked that “the duty of steering the force by the Saudi Naval Forces arises from their crucial role and close collaboration with the naval forces of the participating nations in overseeing maritime trade routes in the region, ensuring protection for commercial vessels.”
Established in 2004, Combined Task Force 152 is one of the five operational forces working under the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. The additional forces include Duty Force 150, Duty Force 151, Duty Force 153, and Training Force 154.
Combined Task Force 152 enhances “regional maritime collaboration, particularly among Gulf Cooperation Council nations, bolsters maritime security in the Arabian Gulf, safeguards infrastructure in international waters, and counters illegal activities and terrorist threats,” according to SPA.
The responsibilities of the “Guardian” Force encompass “monitoring commercial maritime trade routes in the region, ensuring protection for commercial vessels flying the flags of participating nations, and deterring nations that support activities that may jeopardize maritime security.”
