HMNZS Te Mana on patrol in Arabian Gulf

HMNZS TE MANA has arrived in her area of operations in the Southern Arabian Gulf and will commence patrolling on Sunday.

The frigate and her 173 strong ships’ company will operate within a 20,000 square mile area conducting maritime support and security operations for Coalition Task Force 152 in the Central and Southern Arabian Gulf.

Commanding Officer of HMNZS TE MANA, Commander Blair Gerritsen said that after refuelling by the Japanese tanker JDS Oumi in the Gulf of Oman, and briefings from the Bahraini Task Force Commander Brigadier General Abdulla Saeed Al-Mansoori, all hands are prepared and ready to get underway.

“We had a successful passage from Devonport via Singapore and the team are now focussed on the task ahead. We’ve already established good relationships with our coalition partners and are looking forward to working with them in the weeks ahead.”

HMNZS TE MANA is expected to return to New Zealand in August.

ENDS

Background note:
The New Zealand Defence Force previously deployed HMNZS TE KAHA and HMNZS TE MANA to the Arabian Gulf in 2002 and 2004.