USS Dewey recently joined CMF counter-terrorism efforts in the Middle-East. The US Navy destroyer brings a wide range of capabilities to CTF-150, including searching and boarding, and protection and support to other CMF vessels
USS Dewey recently joined CMF counter-terrorism efforts in the Middle-East. The US Navy destroyer brings a wide range of capabilities to CTF-150, including searching and boarding, and protection and support to other CMF vessels

The Commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-terrorism task force CTF-150 has welcomed US Navy destroyer USS Dewey to his command and praised the professionalism of her crew.

Commodore Brian Santarpia from the Royal Canadian Navy is in charge of the joint Canadian/Australian-led task force. He said:

“USS Dewey is a highly capable warship which brings a wide range of capabilities to our Task Force, including her board and search skills which will be invaluable in protecting those who use the seas for legitimate purposes, as well as supporting other CMF vessels. She is a most welcome addition to our task force.”

Crew members of USS Dewey ride rigid-hull inflatable boats during a recent boarding training exercise
Crew members of USS Dewey ride rigid-hull inflatable boats during a recent boarding training exercise

Prior to joining CTF-150, senior representatives from the US Navy destroyer took part in a series of briefings from the CTF-150 headquarters team in preparation for their upcoming maritime security operations. Commander Mikael Rockstad, USS Dewey’s Commanding Officer, said:

“USS Dewey’s boarding teams regularly train to maintain proficiency and operational readiness; preparation for our assignment to CTF-150 has been no exception. We are ready and will be able to put our skills to good use in support of CTF-150 counter-terrorism operations should the need arise.”

Members of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey boarding team operate in a rigid-hull inflatable boat during a recent training exercise
Members of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey boarding team operate in a rigid-hull inflatable boat during a recent training exercise

This is the second time that the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer has supported CMF operations since deploying to the Middle East last year; she played an active role in the International Mine Countemeasures Exercise in November 2014, where the ship’s boarding teams worked alongside the Yemeni Coast Guard and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Navy.

CTF-150’s mandate is to promote security and stability at sea by countering terrorist acts and related illegal activities, which terrorists use to fund or conceal their movements. In 2014 alone, CTF-150 units denied international terrorist networks access to millions of dollars from trafficking by seizing and destroying 21,500kg of a variety of illegal narcotics.