Last week the Pakistani frigate PNS Alamgir and the Australian frigate HMAS Newcastle conducted a simultaneous replenishment at sea with the USNS Kanawha. This was followed by an opportunity to practice close in manoeuvres and improve interoperability. Both vessels are operating in the Gulf of Aden in direct support to CTF 150 and its counter terrorism mission.

HMAS Newcastle and Pakistan Navy Ship Alamgir conduct officer of the watch maneouvers in the Middle East region. *** Local Caption *** Operation Manitou is the ADF contribution to support international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East Region (MER). The primary goal of Operation Manitou is to contribute to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces, which is a 31-nation partnership focused on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation and promoting a safe maritime environment.
HMAS Newcastle (06) and Pakistani Naval Ship Alamgir conduct a replenishment at sea with United States Naval Ship Kanawha in the Middle East region. *** Local Caption *** Operation Manitou is the ADF contribution to support international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East Region (MER). The primary goal of Operation Manitou is to contribute to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces, which is a 31-nation partnership focused on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation and promoting a safe maritime environment.
HMAS Newcastle (06) and Pakistani Naval Ship Alamgir conduct a replenishment at sea with United States Naval Ship Kanawha in the Middle East region. *** Local Caption *** Operation Manitou is the ADF contribution to support international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East Region (MER). The primary goal of Operation Manitou is to contribute to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces, which is a 31-nation partnership focused on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation and promoting a safe maritime environment.
HMAS Newcastle and Pakistan Navy Ship Alamgir conduct officer of the watch maneouvers in the Middle East region. *** Local Caption *** Operation Manitou is the ADF contribution to support international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East Region (MER). The primary goal of Operation Manitou is to contribute to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces, which is a 31-nation partnership focused on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation and promoting a safe maritime environment.
HMAS Newcastle and Pakistan Navy Ship Alamgir conduct officer of the watch maneouvers in the Middle East region. *** Local Caption *** Operation Manitou is the ADF contribution to support international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East Region (MER). The primary goal of Operation Manitou is to contribute to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces, which is a 31-nation partnership focused on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation and promoting a safe maritime environment.

CTF 150 is currently focused on providing naval presence in the vicinity of the Bab Al Mandeb Strait to reassure the international maritime community after incidents involving merchant shipping earlier this year. Warships continue to patrol the area, conducting transits through the crucial maritime trade corridor and upholding the free flow of commerce and shipping.

Under a French lead, the staff of CTF 150 is the first combined French-UK command which operationalizes the French-UK naval co-operation under the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF). This framework was initiated in 2010 under the Lancaster House Agreement between Paris and London. The staff also includes officers from Belgium, Italy and Australia, and exercises command over ships and aircraft from several CMF participating nations.