During an engagement trip to Djibouti, Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, Rear Admiral Byeong-Ju Yu, Republic of Korea Navy, visited the Japanese vessel JS Asagiri, which recently completed a successful search and rescue operation whilst under CTF 151 tasking.

CCTF151 meets with the CO of JS Asagiri
Rear Admiral Yu, CCTF 151, meets with the CO of JS Asagiri, Commander Yuuichi Haeno.

Commander Yuuichi Haeno, Commanding Officer of the Japanese warship JS Asagiri, welcomed Rear Admiral Yu and his team on board before being presented with a certificate of appreciation for the outstanding contribution undertaken by him and his crew. Last week, the JS Asagiri responded to a mayday call from a vessel in distress, the dhow Awatif, 75 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen.

CCTF151 presents award to the crew involved in a rescue operation at sea
Rear Admiral Yu, CCTF151, presents award to the crew involved in a rescue operation at sea.

A helicopter was dispatched from the Japanese warship whilst it was conducting a counter-piracy patrol under CTF 151. The helicopter retrieved two crew members from the stricken ship whilst a further six were picked up by a passing merchant vessel. The two crew were taken to safety on the JS Asagiri before being transferred to the Djibouti Coast Guard for their onward trip home. The rescue was a joint effort coordinated by CMF, CTF 151 and the ship’s Captain.