Rear Admiral Anho Chung, Commander Combined Task Force 151 (CCTF 151 – Counter Piracy Force), visited Commodore Ben Bekkering, Commander CTF 508 (NATO – Operation Ocean Shield) onboard the CTF 508 flagship, the HNLMS Evertsen. The commanders took advantage of the opportunity to meet in person when both the CTF 151 flagship, the ROKS Wang Geon (DDH 978), and the HNLMS Eversten were in port in Salalah, Oman.
The face-to-face meeting was an opportunity for the two commanders to reinforce the close working relationship between the task forces. They discussed recent counter piracy successes as well as how both can continue to work together to present a unified response to piracy threats in the future. Although the two task forces are independent, they share common goals to deter and disrupt piracy and keep sea lanes open to ensure freedom of navigation.
Communication already flows daily between the flagships whilst they are deployed operationally, both on the command level and on the tactical level between department heads and battle watch officers. Whilst in port, CTF 151 battle watch officers took this opportunity to meet with their CTF 508 counterparts on the HNLMS Evertsen. Both teams exchanged information regarding operating procedures and recent counter piracy operations.
Cooperation and coordination on both the command and tactical levels ensure that both task forces can continue to operate effectively and accomplish their mutual missions.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 