Programs & Events

Students from Qatar Leadership Academy visit USCG ADAK

Students pose with the Commanding Officer of USCG ADAK and PAO

DOHA --  Students and their instructors from the Qatar Leadership Academy boarded the United States Coast Guard Cutter Adak on January 21 for a close-up look at how the ship and its crew are carrying out their mission in the Arabian Gulf.  The students, accompanied by U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Joey Hood, toured the boat during its three-day visit to the Port of Doha.

 

Lieutenant Jose Diaz, the Adak’s Commanding Officer, told the students that his men were relieved to spend a few days enjoying the sights and comforts of Doha after a grueling schedule of patrolling Iraq’s coastal waters.  Diaz explained that the ship’s mission is to safeguard the Iraqi economy by protecting Iraq’s offshore oil platforms and combating smuggling of goods and people.  In 2003, the Adak helped escort the first humanitarian relief ships into Iraq. 

 

Asked by one of the students how the Adak confronts threatening boats, Diaz said, “We use all peaceful means possible to deter them before having to resort to force.”  For example, the ship is equipped with a loudspeaker that broadcasts warnings in Arabic, Farsi, Hindi and other languages at the touch of a button.  Another device produces ear-splitting pulses that can cause people on other boats to become nauseous and to lose their balance.

 

LT Diaz noted that the Adak is in regular contact with Iranian vessels in the northern Gulf, but that “almost all of these encounters are professional and without incident.” 

 

One young American who was guarding the boat along with his Qatari counterparts explained to the students that the Adak is here from its home port of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in order to promote peace.  “We want to do well by the world,” he said, “and we’re doing our part by helping make Iraq a safer place.” 

 

The spirited young Qataris peppered the Adak’s Executive Officer, Jason Boyle, with questions about the ship, its weapons, and its capabilities as he led them on a tour of the vessel.  They also shared stories about Doha and the art of falcon hunting. 

 

The Americans and their Qatari hosts are not likely soon to forget their encounter aboard the Adak, whose visit to Doha Port was another example of the strong ties between the United States and Qatar. 

More pictures