New Multinational Task Force Conducts Maritime Training in the Seychelles

By NAVCENT Public Affairs

Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, completed a two-week training mission in the Indian Ocean island nation of the Seychelles, July 14, to enhance operational readiness for 160 participants from five nations.

CMF’s new maritime security training task force, Combined Task Force 154, facilitated Operation Southern Readiness in partnership with the Seychelles Defence Force. More than 50 CMF facilitators from nine nations led training courses on maritime awareness, law, interdiction, search and rescue, unmanned operations and leadership development.

“Operation Southern Readiness has been a fantastic opportunity to learn with our partners in the Seychelles Defence Force,” said Commodore Philip Dennis, commander of United Kingdom Maritime Component Command and deputy commander for CMF. “We are stronger when we train, operate and work together.”

Personnel receiving the training included participants from Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania.

This was CMF’s second iteration of Operation Southern Readiness. The first occurred last September when CMF and the Seychelles conducted similar training on the island, allowing partners to meet face-to-face, form relationships and learn from one another.

“It’s all about building relationships because relationships are the fundamental building blocks for greater collaboration at sea,” Royal Canadian Navy Cmdr. Alexis Dieryckx said last year.

CMF consists of 38 partner-nations whose forces operate in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean. The nations are united in upholding international rules-based order to protect the free flow of commerce, ensure regional the United States. The NAVCENT cohort included experts on explosive ordnance disposal, civil affairs, maritime security, maritime law, joint planning and amphibious operations.

U.S. personnel solely participated in Resolute Union as observers and trainers this year, enabling LAF partners to carry out training drills as a team and enhance their maritime capabilities in key areas.

“We have conducted Resolute Union many years in the past, but this year the U.S. supported in an observer and trainer capacity,” said Lt. Cmdr. Antoni Wyszynski from U.S. 5th Fleet’s task force for expeditionary combat operations, Task Force 56. “It is good to see how other partner nations are coming together to support Lebanese forces to develop interoperability and support maritime security.” Resolute Union exercises have fostered collaboration between Lebanese and U.S. armed forces for 23 years. In 2022, 60 U.S. service members conducted drills alongside their LAF counterparts on maritime security operations, mine countermeasures and explosive ordnance disposal. maritime security and deter illicit activity by non-state actors.

NAVCENT is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain and includes U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandeb.

CMF launched Combined Task Force 154 two months ago to organize multinational maritime training opportunities at locations across the Middle East, enabling more CMF partnernations to participate in training opportunities without ships or aircraft, particularly during courses taught ashore. The new task force is commanded by a U.S. Navy captain who leads a staff that is augmented by CMF partners during major training events. Another nation will assume command of Combined Task Force 154 in the coming months.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: AN INSIDE LOOK

From Page 1 preparing permits or permit applications, negotiating permits and issues with local and country regulators, and providing technical consultation with base entities.

The Environment Planning and Conservation branch ensures planning is conducted for decision makers, and that plans include and execute environmental programs for the management of natural and cultural resources. This branch also provides assurance that any proposed action on the installation incorporates protection of the human environment as well as identifying any potential impacts construction operations may have on the environment.

Another aspect of the environmental program is operating and maintaining the Qualified Recycling Program (QRP). The mission of this program is to minimize the amount of waste discarded in landfills; increase the percentage of water that is recycled; support green procurement policies; expand the education program with focus on public awareness in support of recycling. Revenues generated from the recycling program may be used by the installation for projects for pollution prevention, energy conservation, alternative-fueled vehicle infrastructure support, occupational safety and health activities, and potentially support MWR activity programs.

The PWD is an essential department that helps maintain mission readiness at all hours of the day. The departments goals for the future include; ensuring Facilities that support the Warfighter and workforce are maintained to mission requirement, provide timely and cost effective transportation and facility support for our customers and to consolidate our footprint to gain efficiency and reduce costs.

“The PWD is the heartbeat of this base.” Said Philip W. Hammond.