Senior Kazakhstani Military Official Visits U.S. 5th Fleet Navy News Service February 18, 2005 MANAMA, Bahrain - Kazakhstan Rear Adm. Komratov Ratmir Alimkhanovitch, commander, Regional Command West completed a visit to 5th Fleet Feb. 18 in Manama, Bahrain. Arriving Feb. 13, the admiral met with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Vice Adm. David Nichols and members of the 5th Fleet staff, toured 5th Fleet and Naval Support Activity, Bahrain spaces, was introduced to the MK-6 Marine Mammal System, and visited USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) on station in the Persian Gulf. The Central Asian nation has been working to strengthen ties with its neighbors and contribute to the international community. The purpose of Alimkhanovitch's visit was to discuss four programs: training, information exchange, finance, and military equipment, said Alimkhanovitch. "We have a long tradition of military cooperation with the republic of Kazakhstan almost dating back to its independence," said U.S. Army Maj. Ted Donnelly, chief of the Office of Military Cooperation in the Republic of Kazakhstan, who was escorting the Kazakhstan delegation. "Most of our cooperation to date has been between the Army and the Air Force, and Kazakhstan's equivalent forces. Military cooperation with the Kazakhstan Navy is relatively new, so we're discussing areas where we can expand our cooperation in the future." More than 200 Kazakhstan naval officers have now received some form of training in the United States. U.S. 5th Fleet is exploring a variety of additional training opportunities. "We discussed different types of maritime assessments," said Donnelly. "Kazakhstan, as a new country and with an even newer navy, is looking for different ways that 5th Fleet can assist with determining the needs of their navy, and with possibly assisting with some of those needs in areas of education, exercises and different types of training." Alimkhanovitch showed particular interest in aircraft carrier operations. "I was very impressed by the skillfulness of the pilots taking off and landing on Truman aircraft carrier," he said. "I was also surprised by the calm and peaceful atmosphere on the carrier. I saw friendly faces everywhere." Alimkhanovitch said he was also very impressed with the good intentions and wishes the Sailors showed toward Kazakhstan, and added, "I would like them [5th Fleet Sailors] to come back home in very good health conditions, safe and sound. I would like to wish peace to their homes and their state." Kazakhstan is nearly four times the size of Texas and borders Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea. Its navy conducts the same missions as navies all over the world. "Today, Kazakhstan's navy is engaged in protecting the maritime economic zone and the territorial waters from acts of terrorism and sabotage," said Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev in a January 2004 interview with French weekly Le Nouvel Economist. "Moreover, the navy provides assistance to law enforcement bodies and others protecting the environment, as well as the people, natural riches and resources, and participating actively in rescue missions at sea." During his visit, Alimkhanovitch was exposed to the coalition's Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO is the most significant component to maritime counter-terrorism operations. Designed to detect, deter and disrupt international terrorist organizations use of the maritime environment, MSO also helps to set the conditions for security and stability. MSO includes maritime interception operations, engagement with regional militaries, protection of key infrastructure nodes, detecting and deterring piracy, and assisting mariners in distress.

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