AN Australian naval officer has been chosen as the next commander of coalition naval forces in the northern Persian Gulf, Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said.
Dr Nelson said Commodore Peter Lockwood would head Task Force 158, a naval force of 10 warships and up to 2000 personnel, commanding all coalition maritime operations in the northern gulf from his post on a US warship. "This appointment reflects the high level of respect held by the US Navy for the Royal Australian Navy, and the close relationships our two navies share," Dr Nelson said.
"The task ahead for Commodore Lockwood and his team is demanding but he is an outstanding naval officer and I'm sure he and his well-trained command team will continue to represent Australia in a manner that will make us proud."
Coalition naval forces in the Persian Gulf aim to prevent smuggling of goods through the area, protect Iraq's two offshore oil export terminals and encourage commercial maritime trade, Dr Nelson said.
Commodore Lockwood will take up his appointment today and hand over to another coalition commander in November.
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