International Maritime Security Unit serves in Persian Gulf

Maritime December 4, 2019

An International Maritime Security Unit lead by the US is conducting an operation to secure shipping in the Persian Gulf.

A maritime security operation has been securing shipping channels through the Persian Gulf. Operation Sentinel is lead by the US and includes Britain, Albania, Bahrain, UAE, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait and Qatar are also believed to be joining the operation soon and Canada has expressed interest along with European countries. The operation began in July of this year after attacks on ships passing through the Persian Gulf which is a route used for shipping by many countries.

Army Colonel John Conklin, Chief of Staff at the unit’s construct, said: “More than 60 percent of the unit is not American. There are seven nations involved with the effort now and more are joining.”

“These are generally destroyers or large frigates.”

More than 17,000 ships per year transit through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait carrying oil and natural gas. Closing that waterway would have international repercussions – affecting economies from the United Kingdom to Japan and all points in between.

The International Maritime Security headquarters is in a tent because of how quickly the international unit formed and because of the need to quickly expand the space as more nations join the effort. Navy patrol boat the USS Sirocco patrols the gulf to ensure security and Conklin said the operation has four sentry ships in crucial watchpoints in the Persian Gulf.

Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with some members of the headquarters of the construct and the crew of the USS Sirocco. The operation is expected to further expand to secure the trade route.

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Australia Britain frigates Gulf patrol ships UAE US Navy