Story and Photo by COMBINED MARITIME FORCES
Maintaining the free flow of commerce through the strategically important choke points of the Bab el Mandeb Strait, the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez
Canal is critically important, according to U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
Donegan spoke at the CMF Commander’s Conference in Bahrain in February 2016. The biannual conference brings together senior military representatives from CMF member states to update them on achievements, assess operational effectiveness, and discuss ways to improve and develop CMF capabilities.
In his opening remarks, Donegan highlighted the unique nature of the coalition and the complexities of the operating area. Though terrorism at sea is rare, terrorist groups have announced intentions to carry out such acts and have demonstrated an ability to do so, the admiral said. He praised the CMF and its partners in the European Union Naval Force and NATO for suppressing Somali piracy but warned the threat remains.
At the conference, Iraq enrolled as a full CMF member. The CMF consists of three Combined Task Forces whose patrols cover the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.