U.S. Naval Forces Commander Visits Pakistan Naval War College

April 8, 2010

Islamabad - U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, visited the Pakistan Naval War College in Lahore, Pakistan, today. Gortney was greeted by Rear Admiral Tahseen Ullah Khan, Director General, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and a previous commandant of the college.  During the visit, VADM Gortney met with students and future leaders of the Pakistan Navy.

In his remarks to the students, Vice Adm. Gortney highlighted the positive U.S.-Pakistan military-to-military relationship, and lauded Pakistan's efforts to combat drug trafficking, terrorism, and piracy while working with the Combined Maritime Forces.

"Pakistan's leadership and contributions to ensuring maritime security have had an immeasurable impact not only on the region's prosperity, but on the globe as a whole," Gortney said. "As students here, you now represent the next generation of naval officers who will build on these achievements, and continue to ensure that the seas remain free from destabilizing activities and open for the legitimate use of all law-abiding nations."

As Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Adm. Gortney oversees three multinational maritime task forces designed to counter violent extremism, and improve regional security and stability. The Pakistan Navy has commanded one of those task forces, CTF-150, three times since being established in 2001, and will resume this leadership position again later this month.

CTF-150 conducts maritime security operations in and around the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.