Photo By Sgt. David Scott | Iraqi Navy Patrol Boat 301, returns to the Iraqi Navy Base at Umm Qasr after a...... read more read more
BAGHDAD - Iraq’s maritime security forces recorded another first recently with the completion of a 24-hour patrol in the Persian Gulf aboard its newest patrol boat.
The Iraqi Navy’s Patrol Boat 301 departed Umm Qasr Jan. 6, and returned the following afternoon coinciding with the celebration of Iraqi Armed Forces Day.
Iraqi Navy Lt. Abdul, the ship’s captain, said the historic patrol marks a great moment in the development of the Iraqi Navy.
“It was a significant day, especially since the patrol was a part of Iraqi Armed Forces Day,” he said.
The patrol was the first-ever 24-hour perimeter defense patrol of the Al Basrah Oil Terminal conducted by the Iraqi Navy since the Coalition Naval Advisory Training Team initiated operations, said United Kingdom Royal Navy Lt. Richard Hurman, a CNATT training officer. The patrol was planned and conducted entirely by the Iraqi Navy, and was the result of several months of effort.
“The crew has been conducting training since September,” he said. “Once cleared for operations by the Iraqi Navy, PB301 went out on patrol.”
Two additional Iraqi Navy Swift-class Patrol Boats are scheduled for delivery to the Iraqi Navy and expected to reach operational readiness in the near future. Additionally, the remaining Swift-class Patrol Boats as scheduled for delivery over the next 18 months.
Swift-class Patrol Boats will eventually provide the entire perimeter defense of Iraq’s maritime oil infrastructure, Hurman said.
“I am very proud for the Iraqi Navy to be able to take Patrol Boat 301 out on operations, under their control, with minimal coalition participation,” said CNATT Director Rear Adm. Kelvin N. Dixon. “This is a huge step towards the Iraqi Navy taking over the security responsibility for their territorial waters”
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2011 04:41 |
| Story ID: | 63676 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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