Commander Combined Task Force 150 (CCTF-150) visited Her Majesty’s New Zealand Ship (HMNZS) Te Kaha, an Anzac class frigate. She is currently attached to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), in the Indian Ocean. The successful visit was followed up with a replenishment at sea between HMNZS Te Kaha and the CTF-150 flagship, French Ship (FS) VAR.

Some crew members from FS Var are flown over from the French Ship VAR by TEK’s flight commander LTCDR Alex Trotter in his trusty Seasprite.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Some crew members from FS Var are flown over from the French Ship VAR by TEK’s flight commander LTCDR Alex Trotter in his trusty Seasprite.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

On 20 May 15, HMNZS Te Kaha, working with the CTF-150 in the Indian Ocean, conducted a cross deck evolution with FS VAR and the CTF-150 Command Team. As CTF-150‘s Area of Operation spans over two million square miles and includes some of the world’s most important and busiest shipping lanes, covering the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and Western Indian Ocean, with the range of the AO and the business of operations it can be difficult to arrange meetings and they are always met with enthusiasm.

HAKA Photo
HAKA Photo

Captain René-Jean Crignola, CCTF-150 and members of his staff headed to Te Kaha, on her Seasprite helicopter. It also gave the opportunity for members of Te Kaha crew to visit Var, and familiarise themselves with the CTF-150 flagship.

Te Kaha Seasprite
Te Kaha Seasprite

CCTF-150 was hosted by Te Kaha’s Commanding Officer (CO), Commander Simon Griffiths Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). He was greeted with the Royal New Zealand Navy Haka, performed by Te Kaha’s Maori Cultural Group. Following this, his team was met by their escort officers, and proceeded to tour the Ship. CCTF-150 then headed to the bridge and operations room with the CO and discussed the current CTF-150 mission and the challenges faced by them in the maritime environment. Such meetings serve to enhance the interoperability between coalition units, in an environment that can occasionally be trying for communications.

CCTF-150 and CO TEK discuss the CMF operation on TEK’s bridge.
CCTF-150 and CO TEK discuss the CMF operation on TEK’s bridge.

CTF-150 is a team of nations who work together to enhance maritime security. Ships, aircraft and their crew working together make CTF-150 more effective than any ship, aircraft or country working alone. The CTF’s primary area of responsibility is maritime security and counter-terrorism.