Media Room: Media Releases

LEAD ROLE FOR ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY IN MIDDLE EAST

A Royal Australian Naval officer has assumed command of one of the most senior Coalition navy positions in the Northern Persian Gulf.

As Commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158, Commodore Bruce Kafer AM, CSC, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is in charge of several Coalition ships from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Iraq and Australia (including HMAS Parramatta), and about 1,000 personnel.

Commodore Kafer has taken command from Rear Admiral Kendall Card, United States Navy (USN) and is responsible for Maritime Security Operations (MSO) around the Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminals (ABOT and KAAOT) in the Northern Persian Gulf, in support of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1790. Additionally, under the direction of CTF 158, Iraqi marines on ABOT and KAAOT train with the Coalition in order to ultimately assume full responsibility for security of the oil platforms. 

At the change of command ceremony Commodore Kafer congratulated Rear Admiral Card and his staff on their excellent work in command of CTF 158 for the last four months.

“My team and I are now looking forward to carrying on the important work of maintaining maritime security in the Northern Persian Gulf, in partnership with our Coalition and Iraqi partners,” stated Commodore Kafer.

“I appreciate that this mission is a significant challenge, but I am fortunate and privileged to lead a capable and experienced team, so I am confident that we will meet all challenges directly and professionally”.

This is the fourth occasion that the RAN has been given the responsibility for this important command and is indicative of the Coalition’s high regard for the RAN’s professionalism.

Further details of the ADF commitment to Iraq can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/opcatalyst/default.htm

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison           (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664