In June 2008, Bahrain relayed command of CFT-152 to Hudson. The Royal
Bahrain Navy contributed RBNS Al Taweelah to the exercise.
"Exercise Stake Net is very important because there is a need for
coordination among Gulf nations and coalition partners to provide protection
for the critical oil and gas infrastructure in the region," Hudson said.
Over the last month, Iran has repeatedly threatened to block the Strait
of Hormuz if attacked. Bahrain contains the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet.
"MSO[maritime security operations] help develop security in the maritime
environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity," the Fifth
Fleet said in a statement on July 7. "These operations complement the
counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to
disrupt violent extremists use of the maritime environment as a venue for
attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material."
The Gulf exercise took place less than a week after a U.S. Navy missile
defense test in the Mediterranean Sea and Gulf. The navy conducted what
officials termed an unprecedented five-day exercise — which included the
USN Benfold destroyer in the Gulf and the USN Russell destroyer in the
Mediterranean — that tested the operability of a network of Aegis missile
defense systems throughout the Middle East. The navy plans to install Aegis
systems in 18 cruisers and destroyers by 2009.
"During the exercise, the ships will work with one another in detecting,
tracking, sharing information and engaging a simulated ballistic missile by
sharing data via a number of paths," the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet said in a
briefing paper prior to the June 28 exercise.