Naval and aerial assets from four nations conducted a coordinated search and rescue exercise in the Arabian Gulf on April 27, simulating a unified response to a maritime crisis under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.

Led by Combined Task Force (CTF) 152, the drill brought together the Iraqi Naval Force, Kuwait Naval Force, Kuwait Coast Guard, British Royal Navy, US Coast Guard, and a helicopter from the Kuwait Policy Flying Wing.

The forces launched a swift, multinational rescue following a simulated aircraft crash in the northern Arabian Sea.

The United States established CTF 152 in 2004 to promote regional maritime cooperation. The task force operates under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the world’s largest multinational naval partnership.

CTF 152 is tasked with countering illicit activities by non-state actors in the Arabian Gulf and supporting legal commerce and fishing.

Task force leadership rotates among participating countries.

Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates each have assumed command at various points, demonstrating international cooperation and the shared values of upholding regional security.

Safeguarding lives

During the exercise, the British Royal Navy's HMS Middleton was assigned the role of on-scene commander, guiding search patterns and maintaining communication among responding units.

The exercise highlighted the interoperability of regional and international forces, demonstrating how CTF 152 facilitates the command and coordination of a diverse maritime task force during a crisis.

SOLAS incidents carry particular weight, representing both complex logistical challenges and a shared humanitarian mission among rescue forces.

"The success of this exercise has strengthened the unity of Combined Maritime Forces within the Arabian Gulf, expanding capabilities and demonstrating the importance of CTF 152’s leadership in the region," said Kuwait Commodore Mohammad Alarefi, commander of CTF 152.

"These lessons learned and successes will ensure CTF 152 and CMF continue to safeguard lives at sea well into the future."

The exercise also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment, alongside those of its partner forces, to work together when lives are on the line.

As threats to maritime safety -- and challenges to freedom of navigation on the high seas -- evolve, these exercises remain essential to ensuring swift and unified responses across partner forces.