Arabian Gulf: 2002 - 2004, 2008

HMNZS TE MANA and Coalition Task Force 152

The Royal New Zealand Navy deployed its frigates HMNZS TE MANA and HMNZS TE KAHA to the Middle East in 2002, 2003, 2004 and again in 2008, to assist with maritime security and support operations.

HMNZS TE MANA in the Persian Gulf, EX Goalkeeper 3 ships in Company. [WN-08-0093-02]

In 2008 HMNZS TE MANA and her ships' company of 173 were in the Arabian Gulf for six months.  Located in the central and southern Arabian Gulf, TE MANA operated as part of Coalition Task Force 152.    

The central and southern Arabian Gulf is a diverse area of around 20,000 square miles stretching from the Straits of Hormuz to a line stretching NE across the Gulf emanating from the border of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The main tasks involved developing a picture inside the Arabian Gulf of what normal patterns of activity were and engaging with the local mariners. This contributed to the CTF 152 aim of denying and disrupting attempts by terrorists to use the region in their activities whilst at the same time ensuring the unhindered use of the region for legitimate maritime uses such as fishing, gas and oil production and general trade.

These operations assisted in creating a secure environment on the seas, which led to local and regional stability and prosperity.  Because of the high volume of commercial traffic that flows in and out of this region, maritime security has an impact on global economic prosperity as well.