A ROYAL Navy officer from Dousland has taken over command of a US task force in the Middle East — the first time in history a naval officer has taken command of such a task force — in a bid to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

Royal Navy Commodore Andrew Burns has taken over command of the US Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 50 in the Arabian Gulf during a change-of-command ceremony held onboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier.

He succeeds US Navy Rear Admiral James Malloy, head of Carrier Strike Group 10, as CTF 50 commander and is the first British naval officer ever to lead a US task force in the Middle East.

The move represents a significant development in combined maritime operations between the UK and US.

Commodore Burns and his staff will now direct the operations of the multi-national task force from on board HMS Ocean, maintaining the free flow of trade, freedom of navigation for shipping and regional security in an area covering around 2.5-million square miles.

In his handover acceptance speech, Commodore Burns said: ’The United Kingdom and the United States have a close relationship. A relationship which manifests itself in many ways but none more strongly than through the way our navies have operated together and the successes we have shared.

’Together we have had an enduring presence in this region that has contributed to stability, order on the high seas and freedom of navigation, and ensured the free flow of commerce, so vital to the prosperity of our respective nations. Today marks the start of another chapter in this partnership as the Royal Navy takes on the privilege of leading a US task force in the Middle East for the first time.

’Even in the context of our shared history of operational success at sea, this represents a major step in co-operative maritime operations. Let me say what an honour this is as I take the reigns from Admiral Malloy.

’For the Royal Navy this is also part of a continuous presence in The Gulf since 1980, which, along with a new purpose-built headquarters in Bahrain, is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to the security of the region. Although I will command the Task Force from HMS OCEAN, the Royal Navy’s Fleet Flagship, this will be a multi-national endeavour and I am very much looking forward to the presence of US and French units in the force, and US and French officers as part of my staff, because my principal objective is to move us, together, from established routine interoperability to true integration.

’It is the level of command and control integration we achieve that will be the mark of our success and to some extent this has already been achieved during our preparations for today. It has been a collaborative effort and I am very grateful to the staff of US Naval Forces Central Command and Carrier Strike Group 10 for their support throughout.’

Rear Admiral Malloy said the handover of the task force to the Royal Navy ‘represents a wise investment in this region’s future.’

‘I cannot think of a more capable officer and friend to continue this mission out here than Commodore Burns,’ he added. ‘Security and stability cannot be maintained by one nation alone. Working together with our UK and other coalition counterparts, I am confident in the success of our shared interest for security, stability and prosperity in this region.’

HMS Ocean, a helicopter carrier and amphibious assault ship, will provide maritime security through continued presence in the Gulf region and a series of exercises with partner nations.

Along with Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring, she will provide a continued presence following the USS Dwight D Eisenhower’s departure from the Gulf.