A key tenet of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) business model is that relationships matter. Our relationship with the Kingdom of Bahrain, which hosts CMF headquarters, is of the utmost importance. As such, the recent visit by Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and current Commander of CMF’s counter-piracy task force, CTF-151, to the Bahrain Defence Forces headquarters in Manama was a major milestone of our year thus far.
Accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Captain Somchat Sata Royal Thai Navy, Rear Admiral Wanich met with His Excellency Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force. The next day, Rear Admiral Wanich proceeded to the Royal Bahrain Naval Forces port of Mina Salman to meet with Brigadier General Khalifa Bin Abdullah Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force, before having the opportunity to visit Bahrain ships alongside in Mina Salman.
During his call on the Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force, Rear Admiral Wanich stated how much CMF appreciates the long-term friendship with the Bahrain Defence Forces and hopes to continue to enhance the already strong relationship in order to build ever-closer cooperation in the Gulf. The Rear Admiral also expressed CMF’s desire to continue to work together with Bahrain in support of international counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa. He also highlighted the successes that CMF and Gulf Cooperation Council countries have already achieved in support of international maritime security and counter-terrorism patrols, both inside and outside the Gulf.
The following day, Rear Admiral Wanich took the opportunity to call on Brigadier General Khalifa Bin Abdullah Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force.. During the visit, the Brigadier General highlighted previous Bahraini command of CTF-152 and expressed his continued support for CMF. The two senior officers discussed the maritime security challenges in the region and affirmed their desire to work closer together to share best practice and strengthen the existing bonds between the two organisations. After the discussion ended, the CMF delegation was given a guided tour of Bahraini warships alongside in Mina Salman port.
Rear Admiral Wanich said:
“It was a great opportunity and real honour to meet with the Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force and the Commander of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force. The visits were very positive and we exchange best practice about working closer together. CMF is very grateful for the relationship we have with our Bahraini hosts and look forward to continuing to work together to ensure maritime safety and security in the region.”
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 