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Commander Task Force 58 - Australian Lead In The Northern Persian Gulf

By Lieutenant Commander Kirk Hayden

CDRE Steve Gilmore summarises his time as CTF 58 to CDF, ACM Angus Houston, with Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT) in the background. Taken onboard USS Normandy 24 July 05

In early 2005, the Coalition Forces Maritime Component Commander, Vice Admiral Dave Nichols, United States Navy (USN), from the US Naval Central Command, approached the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with a request to provide a one-star led command team for operations in the Northern Persian Gulf. This request was a great honour for the RAN and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as a whole, as it demonstrated the high regard the United States and coalition partners have for the professionalism of the men and women of the RAN.

The request was approved by the Australian Government in February 2005 with Commodore (CDRE) Steve Gilmore, CSC RAN, subsequently appointed as Commander Task Force 58 (CTF 58). Fourteen officers and sailors representing a broad range of specialist skills including operations, communications, logistics, intelligence and maritime law were drawn - primarily from Deployable Joint Force Headquarters (Maritime) - and posted to make up the command team, with Captain Stuart Mayer, RAN appointed to the Deputy CTF position.

The RAN has had an ongoing commitment to coalition operations and a regular presence in the Northern Persian Gulf since the first Gulf War in 1991. The vital post war involvement by a number of RAN units was essentially in support of coalition maritime interdiction operations (MIO) in order to enforce United Nations sanctions against what is now the former regime of Saddam Hussein.

This role changed to combat operations during the second Gulf War and significantly, HMAS ANZAC fired the first shots 'in anger' since the Vietnam War. Subsequently, after the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime, the role transformed to activity focussed on maritime security and stability. Many RAN ships have contributed to the MIO role with great professionalism and success over the years. Several RAN officers, and their respective staffs, have served with distinction in command of MIO in the Gulf between 2001 and 2004.

CDRE Steve Gilmore addressing the crew of the flagship USS Antietam upon assuming command of Task Force 58.

Overseeing the RAS (Replenishment at Sea) from the Bridgewing on USS Normandy, CO USS Normandy, CAPT Steve Hampton, USN (right) and LCDR Kirk Hayden.

The mission of CTF 58 is, however, considerably broader and encompasses the conduct of all coalition maritime security operations across the Northern Persian Gulf. These operations aim to set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and include a range of specific tasks. These tasks include the protection of key infrastructure, interception operations (that seek to pressurise the environment and thereby detect, deter and deny terrorists use of the sea), anti-piracy operations, theatre security cooperation and escort of military sealift command shipping.

The evolving scope and circumstance of this mission elevated TF58 Command to a one-star position during 2004. As such, the appointment of CDRE Gilmore as the CTF was of historical significance as it was the first time the RAN has held this level of tactical responsibility in a coalition theatre of operations since World War II.

During the RAN period of command TF 58 was variously made up of warships from the US, UK, Australia and Iraq. These ships included a guided missile cruiser, frigates (including HMAS DARWIN and then NEWCASTLE), patrol boats, coast guard cutters, a forward support ship, fast attack boats and a US Navy special boat team. Also assigned to TF 58 were USN maritime security detachments and Iraqi marines embarked on the two large Iraq oil platforms for point defence duties. Shore based HH60 Seahawk helicopters completed the more regular composition of the force.

CDRE Gilmore exercised command from a USN guided missile cruiser with USS ANTIETAM, performing the role of flagship during April and May 2005, and then from sister ship, USS NORMANDY, from June until August. At any one time there were up to 1700 sailors and marines under the command of CTF 58.

The most significant responsibility - and one that was constantly on the minds of the entire Command team - was the protection of the vital Iraqi oil platforms. Ninety-five per cent of Iraq's oil exports are shipped through these platforms generating approximately 80 per cent of Iraq's gross domestic product. During CTF 58's tenure, the oil platforms pumped in excess of US $7 billion worth of oil. Their importance to the people of Iraq, and the rebuilding of their economic infrastructure, cannot be overstated. In April 2004 these platforms were attacked by insurgents and tragically resulted in the death of three US servicemen from USS FIREBOLT. Involved in the protection of the oil platforms, HMAS STUART was first on the scene and provided critical support to the victims of the attack. Significant efforts were made to further develop the security of these platforms and many initiatives were introduced to enhance their protection during the tenure of the Australian CTF 58.

Iraqi Navy Patrol Boat with USCGC Wrangell and Kuwaiti Coast Guard vessels undertaking the historic Operation United River Dragon on the KAA. Photo by AIRDET

Operation United River Dragon planning meeting participants. Australians in the picture: LCDR Rod Newbold, CDRE Steve Gilmore and CMDR Sean O'Dwyer, together with representatives from United States Coast Guard Service, United States Navy, Royal Marines, Iraqi Navy, Kuwaiti Coast Guard and Kuwaiti Navy. Taken onboard USS Normandy, 18 July 05.

Security of the legitimate maritime community - merchant vessels and the local fishing fleet - operating in the Northern Persian Gulf presented a challenge to TF58. Considerable traffic density and the ever-present threat from insurgents created circumstances that demanded well-planned and skilfully executed visit and boarding operations. The calibre and capability of the boarding teams (provided by each participating nation), enabled such activity to be successfully conducted, with over 680 boardings completed by TF units during the deployment.

As CTF 58, CDRE Gilmore was responsible for the development and integration of Iraqi navy and marine assets into the task force mission. In time, this will lead to an eventual transition of responsibility for maritime security operations around the oil platforms and within territorial waters to the Iraqi forces. This aspect of the CTF 58 mission is a crucial element in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.

TF 58 staff took the lead in the establishment of the Iraqi transition working group, which brought together all the key players responsible for the training, development and operational employment of the Iraqi Navy, into a single formal body to direct and manage the transition process. Significantly, the Australian staff developed and promulgated the Iraqi Transition Roadmap (IQTR). This crucial document was constructed in close consultation with the Iraqi Navy (IQN) Operations Headquarters and the UK-led Assistance and Support Team (AST) responsible for training at the Iraqi shore base in Umm Qasar. The IQTR is a comprehensive plan for the preparation, training and certification of the Iraqi Navy, including the marines. It also contains information on force structure, capability requirements, procurement plans, mission sets, and training and equipment issues associated with the conduct of operations in Iraqi territorial seas.

As part of the IQTR, a comprehensive process to test and, where appropriate, certify Iraqi Navy units as proficient to successfully integrate into the coalition TF was undertaken by CTF 58. As a consequence of this hard work, and the determination of the IQN, Iraqi patrol boats are now conducting a variety of operations alongside coalition partners. Iraqi marines are also in a certification process that seeks to facilitate transition of point defence of the two oil terminals to them before the end of 2005. At each milestone, the IQN and marines will relieve coalition assets for subsequent redeployment.

The opportunity to provide Australian leadership of such a significant coalition task force, engaged in vital operations in a dynamic and most challenging environment, has been a career highlight for the 15 RAN personnel. It has also been of considerable importance to the RAN, reflecting the enviable reputation it has as a world class Navy able to fight and win at sea.

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