Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff visits CENTCOM | Print |
By U.S. Central Command
CENTCCOM Commander Gen. David Petraeus greets Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff, Adm. Norman Bashir, Tuesday in Tampa.
CENTCCOM Commander Gen. David Petraeus greets Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff, Adm. Norman Bashir, Tuesday in Tampa.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (March 23, 2010) — Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Noman Bashir met with U.S. Central Command Commander, Gen. David Petraeus in Tampa, Fla., Mar. 23, to reaffirm the strategic partnership between Pakistan and the United States.

Gen. Petraeus and Adm. Bashir discussed Pakistan's efforts to combat drug trafficking, terrorism, and piracy, while highlighting positive U.S.-Pakistan military-to-military relations. Adm. Bashir reinforced the Pakistan Navy's commitment to strengthening the bonds between the U.S. and Pakistan Navies.  He also discussed the Pakistan Navy's anti-piracy
efforts and peacekeeping operations with the United Nations.

The Pakistan Navy has commanded Combined Task Force (CTF)-150 four times since the task force was established by the United Nations in 2001. CTF-150, a multinational task force, conducts maritime security operations in and around the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.  The task force was
created to counter terrorism, prevent smuggling, and deter other destabilizing activities in the maritime environment.

Adm. Bashir is in the United States on a ten-day visit at the invitation of the U.S. Navy.  While there, he is scheduled to meet with various U.S. military and government officials to discuss opportunities for continued coordination and cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan navies.