Posted on 08/25/2005 9:17:11 AM PDT by Calpernia
MANAMA, Bahrain –British Royal Navy Commodore Tony Rix turned over command of Task Force (CTF) 150, to French Vice Adm. Jacques Mazars Aug. 17 in Bahrain.
CTF 150 was established near the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom and is comprised of navies from Germany, France, Pakistan, Canada, the United Kingdom and United States, which is under the direction of U.S. Navy Vice Adm. David C. Nichols, Jr., Combined Maritime Forces Component Commander. CFMCC oversees maritime security operations (MSO) in and around the Arabian Gulf, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, parts of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
Mazars, who commanded CTF 150 in the past, was excited to be back at the helm and said the opportunity to ensure peace in the region and be a part of all the accomplishments of CTF 150 is an honor.
“It feels good. I was part of this mission two years ago and now I’m back. So I really appreciate the opportunity to take over from Commodore Rix this time around,” said Mazars. “In every region you see maritime operations and it’s important to have a presence to protect our assets at sea.”
MSO sets the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material.
“The mission, fundamentally, is to prevent terrorist from using the sea as a venue for terrorist attacks or an enabler for terrorist attacks ashore,” said Nichols.
Nichols said CTF 150, which operates outside the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, is the centerpiece of the coalition forces.
“A large task force operating over a large area conducting maritime security operations will be an increasing important part of naval activity over the coming years,” said Rix.
Nichols and his staff received praise from Rix for their continuing support throughout his operations as commander of CTF 150.
“My operation wouldn’t have been possible without the support I’ve received from him and his staff,” said Rix.
Rix said his time in command of CTF 150 went extremely fast and noted some positive developments over the last five months.
“Compared to my time 18 months ago, the biggest difference this time around, is we’ve managed to engage closely with a number of countries. Yemen in particular,” said Rix.
CTF 150 also achieved a clearer acknowledgement that there are both direct and indirect links between drugs and terrorism. He said it has been good to see how much MSO has developed over the last couple of months.
Rix also had some encouraging words for Mazars before turning over command.
“There’s much more of a team atmosphere and much more seamless battle space,” said Rix. “Which I think is working real well right now.”
This marks the third time a French admiral has commanded CTF 150 as Mazars takes control.
French Vice Adm. Jacques Mazars is welcomed by Vice Adm. David Nichols, COMUSNAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet as the new Commander of Task Force 150 (CTF 150). Mazars relieved British Royal Commodore Tony Rix as the commanding officer of CTF 150 August 17, 2005 at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. Official U.S. Navy photo by Navy Journalist Elton Shaw.
CTF 150 was established near the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom and is comprised of navies from Germany, France, Pakistan, Canada, the United Kingdom and United States, which is under the direction of U.S. Navy Vice Adm. David C. Nichols, Jr., Combined Maritime Forces Component Commander. CFMCC oversees maritime security operations (MSO) in and around the Arabian Gulf, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, parts of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
Thanks for the ping!
I hardly reconized the Frenchman without his hands on his head.
"British Royal Navy Commodore Tony Rix turned over command of Task Force (CTF) 150, to French Vice Adm. Jacques Mazars Aug. 17 in Bahrain." who emediatly threw up his hands in surrender.
The French frigate Surrender, with 23 reverse speeds, is being backed out of dry dock to augment the U.S. Navy in Bahrain.
(Blink....blink....blink......)
I am reminded of Pattons opinion, about
preferring a Geman Division in front of him
to a French Division behind him...,
I hope the task force has a sufficient supply of white flags...
Did he really say that? awesome..
French soldiers are fighting alongside American soldeirs in Afghanistan.
For those historically inclined I would remind that France came to our aide after 9/11 years faster than we came to their aide in either WWI or WWII. And in both those wars France was attacked much more catastrophically than we were.
France's military defeats were overwhelmingly because of interfering politicians and political generals. Sound familiar?
You just got in the way of a perfectly good circle jerk where we were all happy trotting out the same tired jibes. Hope you are satisfied.
Well you have a point, technically. But how signicant was the French aide after 9/11? A few AWACs operators? A frigate to the Persian Gulf? You get my drift? There 'help' wouldn't have been missed.
Except by folks here who make a career out of whining that their help is never enough.
However, Patton really did say that.
Here's another one of his quotes that
seems appropriate to today, as the Nirods
in our Government, and the Ghouls of 60's Past
are calling for a "time table for withdrawl"..
"War is an art and as such is not susceptible of explanation by fixed formula"
- General George Patton Jr
Sorta like sayin to your wife: "Hey honey, lets get
nekkid and do the Horizontal Bop, but lets make
it quick...cause Sports Night is on in 12 minutes...."
I didn't bother mentioning Lafayette because nobody cares about ancient history.
Didn't bother to raise the point that pre-WWI French military doctrine emphasized the elan of the fighting soldier - WWI turned into a defensive trench war and hundreds of thousands of French soldiers bravely and suicidally charged entrenched machine guns. Pre-WWII doctrine emphasized defense - Maginot line - and they got a blitzfrieg war.
I contend that the French are fallible humans who have been more screwed over by bad politicians and toady generals than most nations.
But they do eat snails!!!
After the USAF and the US Navy, the French navy dropped the most tonnage on A-stan in 2001.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.