MANAMA, Bahrain – The Australian frigate HMAS Melbourne arrived this week to participate in counter-piracy and maritime security operations with the 25-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
The Adelaide class guided missile frigate left her home port of Sydney, Australia, in mid-August and will relieve Anzac class frigate HMAS Parramatta, which has been in the region since March.
CMF units are committed to working together in order to promote security and prosperity across some 2.5 million square miles of international waters in the Middle East, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes. Its main focus areas are defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, reducing illegal activities, and promoting a safe maritime environment.
HMAS Melbourne has a ship’s company of 238 men and women. Additionally, 13 Australian service personnel are assigned to CMF Headquarters, Manama, Bahrain, fulfilling a diverse range of staff roles ranging from watchkeepers to legal advisors.
Captain John Griffith Royal Australian Navy, CMF Director Operations said, “HMAS Melbourne is here to build upon the work of previous Australian ships, aircraft and personnel to help ensure free and safe passage for shipping in these internationally important waterways. The strength of CMF derives from the fact that as a coalition of the willing, we can do more together to tackle piracy and promote maritime security than any single ship or nation could do alone.”
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 