Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 was established in March 2004. It operates in regional waters with all Gulf Cooperation Council nations and complements their security efforts. CTF 152 operates in support of both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. It also conducts Maritime Security
Operations (MSO) in this region. CTF 152 operates in the South and Central Arabian Gulf and is one of three primary combined task forces.
The others are CTF 150 which operates in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and CTF 158 with operations focusing in the North Arabian Gulf. The Italian navy led the task force from June 28 to December 3, 2006, marking the first time a coalition partner led this specific CTF.
Rear Adm. Myers assumed command on December 4 from his Italian counterpart Emilio Foltzer. The change of command ceremony was held aboard ITS Etna (A 5326) yesterday. The Kingdom’s Navy will be heading the Coalition forces who conduct maritime security operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.
