A coastal patrol boat assigned to Combined Task Force (CTF) 158 launches from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) to patrol the Persian Gulf. Carter Hall is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Flordeliz Valerio/Released)USS CARTER HALL, At Sea (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) is currently serving as an afloat forward staging base (AFSB) in the North Arabian Gulf (NAG) as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158.
AFSBs serve as landing platforms for both helicopters and small boats, which allow coalition forces to conduct interaction patrols with dhows.
"The services that Carter Hall is providing are critical to coalition efforts in Iraq," said Cmdr. Jeffrey Sinclair, Carter Hall's commanding officer. "Right now, we are not only contributing to the security of the oil platforms and supporting the other warships in the area, but most importantly, we are serving as a training platform for Iraqi Sailors and Marines."
Members of the Naval Transition Team (NaTT), based in Umm Qasr, Iraq, and Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron detachment embark Carter Hall to help train Iraqi Sailors and Marines.
The NaTT consists of members from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Navy. They train, equip and mentor Iraqi mariners to eventually assume the duties of the coalition to protect their sea-based infrastructures.
Royal Navy Lt. John Bettles, the NaTT's operations officer serving aboard Carter Hall, said working alongside Iraqis on a day-to-day basis gives them additional knowledge on the customs and ways to overcome language barriers.
"The personal interaction is extremely important," he said. "We have the opportunity to absorb cultural training that we may not have experienced in a more structured training environment."
The Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron detachment serving aboard Carter Hall also plays an important mission in the North Arabian Gulf. Their mission is to protect the coalition and Iraqi boarding teams during interaction patrols. The detachment is comprised of three different units: Maritime Expeditionary Boat Detachment (MEBD) 211 and 411, deployed from Portsmouth, Va.; and U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) 309, deployed from Port Clinton, Ohio.
Lt. j.g. Nathaniel Holmes, the VBSS detachment's officer in charge, said Carter Hall is a key player in achieving mission success.
"Carter Hall has played a vital role in helping conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the North Arabian Gulf," he said. "They have adjusted to the extremely busy boat schedule, simultaneously operating boats from the well deck and crane while conducting flight operations."
U.S. and coalition forces provide assistance to the Iraqi Navy defending Iraq's major oil platforms. These terminals are significant sources of Iraqi government revenue and contribute to approximately 80 percent of Iraq's gross domestic product.
Sinclair said Carter Hall's Sailors are ready to perform any mission, day or night.
"Carter Hall's success in simultaneously carrying out these varied missions is only possible through the combined effects of the crew's hard work and the ship's versatility," said Sinclair. "As an amphibious ship, Carter Hall has a well deck, a boat deck, a flight deck that is capable of landing any helicopter. We also have a robust medical and dental suite. These assets make the Carter Hall perfectly suited to provide food, water, maintenance, communications, medical/dental care or anything else that is required, night or day, by the other warships, small boats or the oil platforms themselves."
Carter Hall is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
Carter Hall is part of the Iwo Jima Strike Group.