Bahrain Ends Command Of Gulf Task Force

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Bahrain, the only country in the region to be given the
responsibility, has concluded command of a Gulf naval task force.
Bahrain concluded its command of Combined Task Force-152, which
conducted 300 patrols and other operations in 2008. CTF, sponsored by the
United States, was meant to ensure protection of commercial shipping in the
Gulf.
CTF-152, established in 2004, had been commanded by Bahraini Vice Adm.
Abdullah Said Al Mansouri. On June 5, Al Mansouri relayed over
responsibility for CTF to British Royal Navy Commodore Peter Hudson.
"Maritime security operations are not a single country's mission and no
country can single-handedly achieve the goal of these operations," Al
Mansouri said. "That's why we are joining our friendly navies in this
imperative task."