Iraq navy patrol ship Nasir arrives in homeport, Umm Qasr. Photo by Lt. Ryan Schumacher

The Iraqi navy welcomed the Patrol Ship Nasir to its new homeport here in a ceremony Nov. 12. The Nasir is the second of four ships contracted from the Fincantieri Shipyard in La Spezia, Italy. The Iraqi manned ship departed Italy Oct. 15, completing the more than 5,000 mile journey in about a month.

The ceremony included a naval review of the Nasir and several other Iraqi ships and boats, as well as a demonstration of boarding tactics and a synchronized diver demonstration. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James M. McDonald, deputy commanding general, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, spoke briefly at the event to highlight the importance of the Nasir in protecting Iraq’s coasts.

“Iraq is in charge of its security,” McDonald said. MNSTC-I’s Iraq Advisory and Training Team-Navy continues to help train and advise the Iraqi naval force. MNSTC-I’s goal is to assist Iraq in developing a capable-and-responsive force able for conducting maritime security operations in the region.

With more than 75 percent of Iraq’s gross domestic product coming from revenues generated by its offshore oil platforms, Iraq has a keen interest in protecting and controlling its territorial waters.

The ceremony ended with a tour of the Nasir for assembled guests and a brief cruise in the Shatt al-Arab waterway.

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Story by Lt. Ryan Schumacher