Italian Admiral takes over from US counterpart

Italian Navy Rear Admiral Salvatore Ruzittu relieved US Navy Rear Adm. Ray Spicer as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 152, yesterday marking the first time that all three of the major maritime CTFs in the region have been commanded by officers from nations other than the US or UK.

The change of command also marks the first time a non-US officer has held command of CTF 152, which conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the central and
Southern Arabian Gulf Rear Admiral Shahid Iqbal of the Pakistan Navy and Commodore Peter Lockwood of the Royal Australian Navy, currently command the other two major task forces, CTF 150, which operates outside the Gulf; and CTF 158, which operates in the North Arabian Gulf, respectively.

US Navy Rear Adm. John Miller, deputy commander, US Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, emphasised the importance of having leaders from such a broad coalition.

“We simply cannot effectively conduct maritime security operations without a fully integrated coalition. Coalition participation in maritime security operations is one of the keys to success throughout the region,” said Miller.

Rear Adm. Spicer highlighted the importance of maritime partnerships. “No country can do this mission alone. Our common national goals in this challenging area of the world will be achieved only through the combined operations of coalition forces,” said Spicer. Rear Adm. Ruzittu is confident that the Italians are ready to command CTF 152. “We are fully capable for this challenge, and we’ll do our best in order to lead all units which are going to operate with us, accomplishing the coalition force maritime component aims and objectives,” said Ruzittu. Coalition forces conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.