Combined Task Force 158
Encyclopedia
Combined Task Force Iraqi Maritime or CTF IM (previously known as Combined Task Force 158) is an international naval task group, established as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It consists of naval assets from the United States Navy
and Coast Guard
, the Royal Australian Navy
and the Royal Navy
, working alongside elements of the Iraqi Navy
and the Iraqi Marines. It reports to the Coalition Maritime Component Commander in Bahrain
.
CTF IM's mission is to protect Iraqi waters and oil infrastructure and to provide international maritime sercurity in the Northern Persian Gulf
. It is also tasked to help develop the new Iraqi Navy.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
, the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
and the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, working alongside elements of the Iraqi Navy
Iraqi Navy
The Iraqi Navy is one of the components of the military of Iraq currently being reconstructed by UK-US Coalition forces in Iraq. Its primary responsibilities are the protection of Iraq's coastline and offshore assets...
and the Iraqi Marines. It reports to the Coalition Maritime Component Commander in Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
.
CTF IM's mission is to protect Iraqi waters and oil infrastructure and to provide international maritime sercurity in the Northern Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
. It is also tasked to help develop the new Iraqi Navy.