Royal Australian Air Force Air Commodore Tim Alsop, Director of the Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, visited the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), Dec. 8.

Alsop works with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and other services to maintain air readiness both defensively and offensively. The CAOC provides the command and control of airpower throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

“The purpose of the visit was for familiarization,” said Capt. James Storm, commanding officer, Mobile Bay. “It was to familiarize him and demonstrate to him how the Mobile Bay contributes to the combined defense of the Arabian Gulf, and how we are an air-defense asset for USS John C. Stennis and (the) 5th Fleet area of operations.”

The visit consisted of tours in various departments’ spaces throughout the ship. Each stop highlighted how those teams specifically contribute to Mobile Bay’s mission.

“This is a great way to highlight the capabilities the United States Navy has and to demonstrate how we, as the Navy, plug in into a larger picture in the Gulf with other forces and countries,” said Storm. “This reinforced to him that we are a coalition asset helping him do his mission.”

The USS Mobile Bay is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

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