La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHANGES OF COMMAND Commander, Middle East Force RADM John F. Addams - RADM Harold J. Bernsen 5 July 1986

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Middle East Force The Middle East Torce, established in January 1949, is the only permanently assigned U.S. opera- tional command in the Middle East. A mobile-afloat command, the Eorce operates primarily in the Ara- bian Gulf, but makes periodic excursions to the Ara- bian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Though the Eorce is relatively small, consisting of five deployers and the flagship LA SALLE, the operating area is one of the largest assigned a naval command. The deployers are destroyers or ft-igates which augment Middle East Force on a rotational ba- sis from the Atlantic and Pacific Elects. In addition, two aircraft are a permanent part of the Force: a fixed- wing transport and a helicopter. Middle East Force conducts numerous tasks in 41 K the region to maintain U.S. presence in an area of the world undergoing rapid economic change. Goodwill visits by ships of the Force to ports in the Middle East are an important ac unct to our country ' s desire to promote cooperation, understanding and cultural exchange with countries in the Middle East. More- over, the deployment of Middle East Force ships is indicative of the historical importance the U.S. places on freedom of the seas. To this end. Commander, Middle East Force serves a dual role; that of Senior U.S. Military Com- mander and ambassador. The Commander, a rear admiral, confers with diplomatic missions in the re- gion to ensure concerted policies and actions, and he maintains dialogue with the heads of state, lead- ers and military commanders of non-aligned coun- tries. To ensure freedom of the seas. Middle East Force ships conduct combined exercises with region- al navies as well as with P1ATO and Pacific Fleet naval forces.

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Commanding Officer, USS La Salle CAPT Brent M. Bennitt - CAPT Hubert F. Tahaney, Jr. 26 April 1986 CAPT H lAH unClt. CATTT Ti.-Rimilll . -