26 August 2018 www.bahrainthismonth.com this month INTERVIEWS Passion Forward, p28 Talking Cars, p30 View more info online In his first interview, Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, newly arrived commander US Naval Forces Central Command, US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces told BTM about his plans and the challenges of the role. Please give a little background on the 5th Fleet. How long it has been active out of Bahrain, the number ships and personnel and the area covered. The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States Navy share a partnership that has endured for 70 years. On January 20, 1948, the Navy established Task Force (TF) 126, which was subsequently named the Middle East Force. In 1950, the US Navy leased office space in Juffair, setting our physical presence in Bahrain. The Navy has had a continuous presence in the region ever since. On any given day, we have numerous forces operating in the region. There are 10 forward-deployed coastal patrol ships and six US Coast Guard cutters conducting maritime security operations, as well as four mine sweepers ensuring freedom of navigation. Then we have ships, submarines and aircraft that deploy to the region. Naval forces, by their very composition, are naturally agile forces that can be deployed anywhere. Bahrain is a gracious host nation to our headquarters in this critically important region. We receive tremendous support for the 7,100 personnel and their families who live here as well as for the infrastructure needed to operate here. As the new man in post, what will be your first actions? Whenever I get a new assignment, I like to take the time and get to learn from the people I get to work with. US Naval Forces Central Command is comprised of high-performing teams of US and multinational agile forces from the US 5th Fleet and the Combined Maritime Forces, serving together to maintain the stability and security of the region’s maritime commons. The breadth of experience across our regional partners and Combined Maritime Forces is invaluable given the number and scope of important missions we carry out daily. Can you outline a typical day in your role? No one day is the same here given the amount of operations and naval exercises that occur. Travel throughout the region and meeting my Navy counterparts has been an early priority while at headquarters. In Bahrain, my time is spent with US and Coalition task force commanders conducting planning and monitoring naval operations across the theatre. Recently, we conducted Mine Countermeasures Exercise 18-2 with US and UK naval forces. I was fortunate enough to fly out to the HMS Fort Rosalie to see their work first hand. The laying of mines poses a threat to the free flow of commerce and freedom of navigation, so this integrated training heightens readiness so our combined forces can confront any mine threat. The dedication of our sailors who perform this mission is impressive and important to the region. In June, I was also able to take General Votel, commander of US Central Command, to the USS Iwo Jima. We observed how the US sailors and marines work together, carrying out the maritime mission on the tactical level. What do you see as the challenges coming into the role and how will you address these? The US Navy and our operations are changing – and for the better. We are disrupting the ‘business as usual’ deployments to introduce unpredictability to our adversary decision makers. Part of this means that our ships, submarines and aircraft may not follow the routine patterns that they have followed before. ENSURING SECURITY Vice Admiral Scott Stearney (centre)
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