Welcome return of excellence
CTF58 home after four months

Careful: CTF58’s LCDR Andrew Hawk onboard USS Antietam, conducts a breakaway manoeuvre under the watchful eye of CO, CAPT Ed Quinn.

Photo: LCDR Kirk Hayden

By Michael Brooke

Task Force 58’s command achievements in maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf has further enhanced the reputation for excellence of the Royal Australian Navy.

The remarks, by Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, came as the Australian Commander of the coalition TF-58, Commodore Steve Gilmore, and his 14-person team, concluded their four-month deployment in August and returned home.

CDRE Gilmore commanded TF- 58, which comprised 10 coalition warships and up to 2,000 personnel, an appointment that made him the first Australian to lead a combined task group in operations since World War II.

In the welcome home speech read by Deputy of Joint Operations Command, RADM Rowan Moffit, the CDF congratulated TF-58 for a highly professional job that enhanced maritime security in the Persian Gulf and directly contributed to the economic redevelopment of Iraq.

“You should all be very proud of your achievements, notably the protection of Iraqi oil platforms, overseeing the integration of the Iraqi Navy and Marines into the task force, and shaping the security environment in the Persian Gulf that will facilitate the economic development of Iraq.”

The Maritime Commander, RADM Davyd Thomas, praised CDRE Gilmore and his team for their professionalism and dedication to duty.

“This appointment of command in the Persian Gulf is the highest level of Coalition command provided by the RAN in the Middle East Area of Operations and we should all be very proud of what they have achieved,” he said.

TF-58’s contribution was an integral part of the Whole-of- Government commitment focussed on the reconstruction and rebuilding of Iraq, RADM Moffitt said. CDRE Gilmore said that the appointment of the RAN team was recognition of the level of respect held by the United States Navy towards the Royal Australian Navy and the close association they share.

“This assignment provided a once in a lifetime professional and personal opportunity for the entire Navy team and further builds on the partnership between navies of the coalition forces in Iraq,” he said.

CDRE Gilmore and his team from Maritime Headquarters and Deployable Joint Forces Headquarters (Maritime) were originally embarked in USS Antietam and transferred to USS Normandy during the period April to August 2005.

The task group patrolled the waters of the northern Persian Gulf. HMAS Darwin was one of the ten coalition ships in the task group and was replaced with HMAS Newcastle during this period. At the time, the Task Force comprised warships from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Iraq.

CDRE Gilmore said the Commander TF-58’s key roles included overseeing maritime security operations for Iraqi platforms and shipping connections in the area.

“A major role has been Maritime Security Operations, including the protection of the two Iraqi oil platforms (ABOT and KAAOT), which together are responsible for 95% of Iraqi oil production and 80% of Iraqi GDP,” he said.

In addition to the security of the oil platforms, the Australian-led Task Force was also responsible for the interdiction of illegal maritime trade associated with Iraq, escort of US Military Sealift Command shipping and coordination of operations with other maritime forces.

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