In recognition of the contributions to Maritime Security Operations in the Gulf, Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 Rear-Admiral (RADM) Saw Shi Tat has continued his Key Leadership Engagement (KLE) visits to units in Djibouti and Dubai.
Commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 RADM Saw and Commander CTF 465 RADM Simone Malvagna meeting onboard ITS Carlo Margottini. Copyright: Combined Maritime Forces
In Djibouti, RADM Saw visited the Deputy Head of the Djibouti Navy, Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Ali Elmi Bouh at their Headquarters, as well as the Deputy Head of the Djibouti Coast Guard, Commandant Mohamed Adawa Mohamed. During the meetings, the commanders acknowledged the importance of the military presence of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Djibouti Navy, Djibouti Coast Guard, other task forces, and independent deployers in suppressing piracy in the region. The commanders also agreed that the continued and regular presence of warships is instrumental and essential to the ongoing suppression of piratical acts and maintenance of stability in the region, where around 21,000 vessels, carrying 10% of the world’s annual crude oil and petroleum requirements, traverse through the Gulf of Aden alone.
RADM Saw meeting the Deputy Commander of the Djibouti Navy, LCDR Ali Elmi Bouh. Copyright: Combined Maritime Forces
RADM Saw and Deputy Head of the Djibouti Coast Guard, Commandant Mohamed Adawa Mohamed at the Djibouti Coast Guard Headquarters. Copyright: Combined Maritime Forces
RADM Saw expressed his appreciation to both the Djibouti Navy and Djibouti Coast Guard for their support of CTF 151 units. RADM Saw said, “Both the Djibouti Navy and Coast Guard have significant presence in the Gulf of Aden, and their support is critical to the success of our counter-piracy operations. I am grateful and look forward to opportunities for closer collaborations in the future.”
RADM Saw visiting the Djibouti Navy’s Shore Operations Centre. Copyright: Combined Maritime Forces
RADM Saw was also hosted by Commander CTF 465 RADM Simone Malvagna on board the Italian Navy’s ITS Carlo Margottini, which recently concluded a Passage Exercise with CTF 151’s JS Akebono, showcasing the professionalism of the two warships and positive working relationship between the two Task Forces’ Headquarters. Again the commanders agreed on the need for a strong military presence to suppress piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation and collaborations in counter piracy operations.
RADM Saw was hosted by RADM Malvagna during his visit to ITS Carlo Margottini. Copyright: Combined Maritime Forces
Prior to departing Djibouti, Commander CTF 151 also met with the Deputy Commanding General, Brigadier General William L. Zana, and staff of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF HOA), emphasising the importance of information-sharing between CTF 151’s units, the various counter-piracy task forces in the Gulf and independent deployers to help provide a more accurate assessment of the common area of operations.
The CTF 151 delegation meeting the staff of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF HOA) in Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. Copyright: Combined Maritime Forces
RADM Saw exchanging gifts with Deputy Commanding General of CJTF HOA Brigadier General William Zana. Copyright: Combined Maritime Forces
Rounding off a successful visit, RADM Saw then travelled to Dubai to meet with the Commander United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO), Lt Cdr Neil Parsonage Royal Navy. UKMTO acts as the first point of contact for merchant vessels transiting the waters of the Indian Ocean and works closely with the CTF 151 and other counter piracy related organisations operating throughout the region.
RADM Saw interacting with the staff of UKMTO. Copyright: Combined Maritime Forces
RADM Saw presenting a gift to the Commander UKMTO-Dubai Lieutenant Commander Neil Parsonage. Copyright: Combined Maritime Forces
The willingness of nations is fundamental to the effectiveness of CMF, and KLE is a core component of facilitating and promoting cooperation with regional partners to participate in the common goal of combating piracy.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 