Bahrain Desert Times (512) - January 2024

U.S., PARTNERS COMMITTED TO DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS IN RED SEA

By Joseph Clark , DOD News

The U.S. remains committed to providing a persistent defensive presence in the Red Sea alongside allies and partners, the commander of Naval Forces Central Command said today.

Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said about 1,500 merchant ships have safely transited the Red Sea since mid-December when the U.S. launched Operation Prosperity Guardian. The operation is a multinational, maritime security initiative responding to the recent escalation in Houthi attacks originating from Yemen.

"We are certainly mindful of the continued threat and expect the Houthi attacks may continue," he said. "I think really importantly, though, our actions in this defensive operation are not just through words, but through deeds."

Since mid-November, Houthi rebels have launched 25 attacks against merchant vessels operating in the Red Sea. Those include the detonation of an unmanned surface vessel in international shipping lanes earlier today.

While no ships were hit in the most recent attack, Cooper said that the persistent threat from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in an international shipping lane is a vital concern.

"Our assessment is that 55 nations have direct connections to the ships who've been attacked, whether through the flagging state, where the goods were produced or destined, or the nationalities of the innocent mariners aboard each vessel," Cooper said.

"The impacts of these attacks stretch across the globe," he said. "This is an international problem that requires an international solution."

On Wednesday, the governments of the U.S., Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement condemning the attacks and warning the rebel group against further escalation.

"Ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing," the statement read in part. "There is no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels."

The group of nations warned that the Houthis "will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy and [the] free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways."

"We remain committed to the international rules-based order and are determined to hold malign actors accountable

for unlawful seizures and attacks," the statement concluded.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian on Dec. 18, while on a multiday trip through the Middle East.

The operation brings together forces from several nations to address the challenges in the region and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The forces will operate under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of Task Force 153, a U.S. Navy-led initiative focused on maritime security in the Red Sea.

Cooper said that since the start of the Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led coalition has shot down 19 drones and missiles and sunk three small boats launched by the Houthis against vessels operating in the Red Sea.

Of the drones and missiles shot down, 11 were uncrewed, aerial vehicles; two were cruise missiles; and six were antiship cruise missiles.

"I think the relationships that have always been strong are even stronger," Cooper said. "Our industry partners have said back to us that Operation Prosperity Guardian is contributing to their sense of security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden."

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First Drug Interdiction of the Year for CMF French-led Combined Task Force 150

By NAVCENT Public Affairs

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter operating under the French-led Combined Task Force 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces seized about $11 million worth of illegal drugs from a vessel while operating in the international waters of the Gulf of Oman, Jan. 5.

Coast Guardsmen from the Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145), seized 37 kilograms of heroin, 187 kilograms of methamphetamine and five kilograms of cocaine from the vessel following a search. Following the seizure, the Emlen Tunnell team released the dhow and disposed of the illicit drugs.

Prior to the seizure, while in support to CTF 150, Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster gathered intelligence on the dhow, which had been identified as a vessel of interest. Information including imagery and location of the dhow was shared with the Emlen Tunnell and the French maritime patrol aircraft Wallaby, which allowed the Emlen Tunnell to track and execute the interdiction.

This interdiction marked the first seizure of the year for CTF 150 and follows on from a highly successful 2023, with 12 drug busts since the French assumed command in July 2023.

This latest interdiction for CTF 150 demonstrated the value of CMF nations working together to share information, leading to another successful narcotics seizure.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, and focuses on maritime security operations in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

The 39-nation naval partnership is committed to disrupting criminal and terrorist activities by restricting freedom of maneuver across approximately 3.2 million square

miles of international waters encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Since 2021, Combined Maritime Forces has seized more than $1 billion in illegal drugs while patrolling waters across the Middle East.

CMF-assigned Cutter Seizes Hashish and Methamphetamines in North Arabian Sea

By Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter patrolling under the command of Combined Task Force 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces seized hashish and methamphetamines with a total estimated street value of $24.3 million Dec. 28 in the North Arabian Sea.

It was the third seizure by a CMF-assigned cutter in four days, following seizures by USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1147) and USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) of hashish, heroin, methamphetamines and pills with a total estimated street value of $24.5 million Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 in the Gulf of Oman.

A team from USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142), a Sentinel-class cutter, boarded a dhow at approximately 6:30 a.m. local time Dec. 28 after it displayed indicators consistent with illicit drug trafficking.

Aboard, the team discovered over 300 bags of drugs containing 3,514 kilograms of hashish and 417 kilograms of methamphetamines.

The Robert Goldman team released the dhow and disposed of the illicit drugs.

The mission of Combined Task Force 150 is to disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons or drugs, or engage in other illicit activities, in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

This interdiction marked the twelfth time Combined Task Force 150 assets have seized illegal narcotics at sea since France took command in July 2023.

Combined Maritime Forces is a multinational maritime partnership committed to disrupting criminal and terrorist activities by restricting their freedom of maneuver across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Since 2021, units assigned to the Combined Maritime Forces have seized more than $1 billion in illegal drugs while patrolling waters across the Middle East.

Combined Task Force Commodore Presides Over Promotion of Royal Navy Liaison Officer

By Ensign Emily Moore, USS Mason Public Affairs

The commodore of the Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 153 presided over the promotion of a Royal Navy liaison officer Dec. 24 aboard USS Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer supporting Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea.

U.S. Navy Capt. David Coles, the commodore of the task force, awarded Lt. Jonty Paul Sutton his new rank slide in a ceremony attended by members of the Mason’s crew.

“It was a distinct privilege to pin the rank of lieutenant on Jonty Sutton,” said U.S. Navy Capt. David Coles, the commodore of the task force. “Lieutenant Sutton’s expertise and his 26 years of experience in the Royal Navy have been vital to Operation Prosperity Guardian’s success. It was truly an honor for CTF 153 and me to take part in this special day for our coalition teammate.”

Sutton enlisted in the Royal Navy at the age of 20 and advanced to chief petty officer before being commissioned.

He was temporarily transferred to the Mason from the Royal Navy’s Type 45 air-defense guided missile destroyer HMS Diamond (D34), also supporting Operation Prosperity Guardian, on which he is working toward 600 bridge hours to qualify as an officer of the watch.

Aboard Mason, Sutton experienced the daily life of a U.S. Navy sailor and observed routine operations in the pilot house, combat information center, engineering spaces and flight deck, sharing his personal experiences along the way.

Led by Combined Task Force 153 of the Combined Maritime Forces, Operation Prosperity Guardian represents a focused, international effort to address maritime security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security. More than 20 countries have confirmed their participation in the

operation.

“Multiple countries being present highlights that this is a world issue and

shows all of our commitment to reassuring and protecting merchant ships,” Sutton said.

Self-Defense Strike in Iraq Kills Terrorist Leader

By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

The U.S. remains committed to providing a persistent defensive presence in the Red Sea alongside allies and partners, the commander of Naval Forces Central Command said today.

Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said about 1,500 merchant ships have safely transited the Red Sea since mid-December when the U.S. launched Operation Prosperity Guardian. The operation is a multinational, maritime security initiative responding to the recent escalation in Houthi attacks originating from Yemen.

"We are certainly mindful of the continued threat and expect the Houthi attacks may continue," he said. "I think really importantly, though, our actions in this defensive operation are not just through words, but through deeds."

Since mid-November, Houthi rebels have launched 25 attacks against merchant vessels operating in the Red Sea. Those include the detonation of an unmanned surface vessel in international shipping lanes earlier today.

While no ships were hit in the most recent attack, Cooper said that the persistent threat from the Iranbacked Houthi rebels in an international shipping lane is a vital concern.

"Our assessment is that 55 nations have direct connections to the ships who've been attacked, whether through the flagging state, where the goods were produced or destined, or the nationalities of the innocent mariners aboard each vessel," Cooper said.

"The impacts of these attacks stretch across the globe," he said. "This is an international problem that requires an international solution."

On Wednesday, the governments of the U.S., Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement condemning the attacks and warning the rebel group against further escalation.

"Ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing," the statement read in part. "There is no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels."

The group of nations warned that the Houthis "will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy and [the] free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways."

"We remain committed to the international rulesbased order and are determined to hold malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks," the

statement concluded.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian on Dec. 18, while on a multiday trip through the Middle East.

The operation brings together forces from several nations to address the challenges in the region and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The forces will operate under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of Task Force 153, a U.S. Navy-led initiative focused on maritime security in the Red Sea.

Cooper said that since the start of the Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led coalition has shot down 19 drones and missiles and sunk three small boats launched by the Houthis against vessels operating in the Red Sea.

Of the drones and missiles shot down, 11 were uncrewed, aerial vehicles; two were cruise missiles; and six were antiship cruise missiles.

"I think the relationships that have always been strong are even stronger," Cooper said. "Our industry partners have said back to us that Operation Prosperity Guardian is contributing to their sense of security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden."

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Migration (PG) – 1h 23m

A family of ducks try to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime. | Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Danny DeVito

The Boys In The Boat (PG-13) – 2h 4m

A 1930s-set story centered on the University of Washington's rowing team, from their Depression-era beginnings to winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

| Cast: Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, Peter Guinness

Wonka (PG) – 1h 56m

With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers. | Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Gustave Die, Murray McArthur

The Color Purple (PG-13) – 2h 20m

A woman faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. | Cast: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks