MANAMA, Bahrain – A multinational task force from the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) conducted a maritime search and rescue exercise in the Arabian Gulf, June 21-23.

ARABIAN GULF (June 23, 2022) Kuwaiti ships participate in a search and rescue exercise in the Arabian Gulf, June 23. (Kuwait Naval Force Photo)

The exercise, led by Combined Task Force (CTF) 152, enhanced coordination and interoperability among international partners for conducting rescues at sea. Forces from Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United States participated.

ARABIAN GULF (June 23, 2022) Kuwait Naval Force Caracal helicopter rehearses lifting personnel to safety during a search and rescue exercise in the Arabian Gulf, June 23. (Kuwait Naval Force Photo)

The three-day exercise involved simulated scenarios that included assisting vessels in distress, finding missing aircraft and supporting medical evacuations.

ARABIAN GULF (June 23, 2022) Kuwaiti ships and a helicopter participate in a search and rescue exercise in the Arabian Gulf, June 23. (Kuwait Naval Force Photo)

“Maritime search, rescue and recovery are core maritime skills,” said Kuwait Naval Force Brig. Gen. Saif A. Alhamian, commander of CTF 152. “It is critical to our mission that we remain ready to help and support the maritime community. We are very keen to improve and develop future iterations of this exercise by integrating even more maritime forces and units.”

CTF 152 is one of CMF’s four task forces and focuses on maintaining maritime security inside the Arabian Gulf. The task force was established in 2004.

CMF consists of 34 member nations and is the largest naval partnership in the world. Its forces operate in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.