Commander Combined Task Force 151 strengthens ties with Royal Saudi Naval Force

Commander Combined Task Force 151 (CCTF150) Commodore Asif Hameed Siddique recently visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a Key Leadership Engagement (KLE) to continue the interoperability of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Nations to Maritime security operations throughout the Region. During his visit CCTF-151 met Key Leadership of the Royal Saudi Naval Force (RNSF), Coast Guard and Special Naval Forces.

CTF 151 exists in order to deter and disrupt piracy, protecting maritime vessels of any nationality and securing freedom of navigation for the benefit of all. Counter-Piracy is a separate and discrete form of maritime security operation supported by the Combined Maritime Forces. Piracy is a widespread illegal activity which threatens the passage of thousands of merchant vessels passing through the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Somalia Basin. CTF 151’s Area of Operation (AOO) encompasses an area of 1.1 million square miles in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.

The Gulf region is covered separately by CTF-152, which is currently commanded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This whole area is a vital artery of world trade that includes the main shipping routes from the Far East to Europe and the US with over 23,000 shipping movements per year. Over one third of the world’s oil passes through the Middle East waterways each year.

During this KLE, Commodore Siddique said “Exchanging views on the contributions and support to Counter Piracy elements in the Gulf of Aden helps promote greater understanding of operations from both a National level and in CMF as a whole.” He also referenced the benefits of working together with

Commander RSNF Vice Admiral Abdullah Al-Sultan, Eastern Naval Command Rear Admiral Fahad Al-Gufaily, Western Naval Command Rear Admiral Saeed Al-Zahrani.

Commander CTF-151 interacted with Commander Special Operation Force (SOF) Rear Admiral Saleh Abu Duriahem and his men of the SOF when visited the Special Operation Boats where he was given an on sight brief about the role and objective of SOF’s.