Captain James A Davenport took over command of the US Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 59 (TF 59), relieving Captain John Barrientos, during a ceremony which took place yesterday at the Naval Support Activity base in Juffair.
The change of command was presided over by Fifth Fleet commander Vice Admiral George Wikoff.
“I am honoured to command Task Force 59, a unique command dedicated to fielding operationally relevant robotic and unmanned systems in a challenging environment,” Capt Davenport noted.
“It is a small command filled with dedicated sailors, allies and partners. It is truly a privilege to lead.”
Prior to this role, Capt Davenport worked as Battle Watch Commander with US Strategic Forces Command.
Vice Adm Wikoff also commended Capt Barrientos’ tenure, calling it ‘nothing short of exceptional’ and thanking him for his role in advancing the conceptualisation and effectiveness of unmanned systems throughout the region.
Under Capt Barrientos’ leadership, TF 59 executed the first remote launch of a loitering strike munition from an unmanned system and the first autonomous launch and recovery of a group II unmanned aerial vehicle from an unmanned surface vessel.
His team also integrated the Aerovel Flexrotor tactical unmanned aerial system onto six Navy ships, achieving more than 600 flight hours across 94 sorties.
He will be moving onto a new role reporting to the Commander of Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 5.
TF 59 operates within the US Fifth Fleet area of operations, covering 6.5 million square kilometres of water including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean, and three key choke points: the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb.
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