WE EXTEND our congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces; His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces; and the people of Bahrain for successfully completing today an outstanding one-year term leading a multinational naval task force in the Arabian Gulf.
Last August, the Royal Bahrain Naval Force assumed command of the Combined Task Force 152 for the first time in 11 years.
Bahrain’s leadership over the past 12 months enabled international partners to be at their best by operating, training and working together.
I also want to express our sincere appreciation to Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa for his steadfast support as Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defence Force.
Bahrain’s navy led multiple maritime operations, joint patrols and exercises with partners from the 38 nations that form the Combined Maritime Forces.
Bahrain also facilitated training opportunities for regional forces that enabled different nations to communicate and work together more effectively.
Bahrain has long played a central role in fostering regional maritime security and stability. In addition to commanding Combined Task Force 152, Bahrain hosts hundreds of international officers who staff the headquarters for two major international naval coalitions based here.
These organisations are honoured to have His Majesty’s gracious support as we promote co-operation and peace together throughout the region.
We have made historic progress in integrating new drone technology to better monitor the seas and protect the free flow of global commerce.
Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, and Commander-in-Chief, thanks for your vision and leadership in helping bring partners together to carry our mission forward.
Congratulations!
l The author is commander of US Naval Forces Central Command
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