Iraqi Navy Flagship Ready to Set Sail

ITALY — The Iraqi Navy has been conducting training over the last several months to prepare for the maiden voyage of the Fatah Patrol Ship 701 in mid-May. The Italian patrol ship will be transferred to Iraq, May 15.

The 34-member Iraqi crew traveled to Italy in January to begin their training on PS 701. The training encompassed all aspects of shipboard operations to ensure the crew would be ready to sail the ship from La Spezia to Umm Qasr, Iraq.

The Fatah, meaning ‘Conquer’ or ‘Victory,” is the first of four Italian built ships directly contracted from the Fincantieri Shipyard in La Spezia. Fatah will be designated as the flagship of the Iraqi Navy. The lengthy transit will be the Iraqi Navy crew’s first opportunity to develop confidence with their new ship during their 5,100 nautical mile, 29 day voyage.

Fatah’s voyage will begin in Italy, transit the Mediterranean Sea, pass through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, and ultimately around the Arabian Peninsula to the port of Umm Qasr. The Italian Navy will provide an escort ship to continue training opportunities and coordinate interactions with Coalition warships with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) and U.S Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT).

The Iraqi crew’s interaction with international navies in the NAVEUR and NAVCENT areas of operation is a great training opportunity for them to build confidence and assist with the Iraqi Navy mission of taking responsibility for maritime security in December 2011.

The UK led Coalition Naval Advisory and Training Team is formulating a long-range training plan with the Iraqi Navy. The goal is to develop a capable and responsive Iraqi Navy, generating a force properly organized, trained, equipped, stationed, and sustained with appropriate procedures in place to support naval forces conducting maritime security operations in the region.

RAN (Royal Australian Navy) to help Iraqi navy re-build

By LSCISSM Rachel Irving

RAN personnel will be helping Iraq to re-build five NASUR patrol boats.

The RAN will help bring a “degree of security” to the Iraqi maritime region with the deployment of teams to the coastal port of Umm Qasr.

The Navy will train the newly established Iraqi Coastal Defence Force using patrol and small boat specialists.

LCDR Tony Powell, who worked with the development of the RAN’s new Armidale class Patrol Boats, and POSN Scott Ratcliffe (HMAS Cairns) are expected to deploy to Iraq within the next few weeks and will be followed by commissioning and training teams.

The commissioning team of LEUT Scott Rivett (HMAS Townsville), CPOMT George Massouas (FIMA CAIRNS) and LSBM Shane McGrath (MWVSTG) are finalising their force preparation and will coordinate the introduction into service of five Iraqi patrol boats, NASUR 1 to 5.

The team will deploy over the coming months to Umm Qasr which will become the new Iraqi training base. LCDR Powell said it was a fantastic opportunity for Australia to assist in the rebuilding of Iraq.

“By transferring some of the RAN’s extensive knowledge of patrol boat operations, of operations in The Gulf and of our experiences in assisting our neighbouring South Pacific Island patrol forces, our small contribution can help bring a degree of security to this region,” he said.

“In the longer term, our efforts in developing an effective Iraqi Coastal Defence Force will allow the coalition to reduce their naval commitments in The Gulf.

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