The Turkish-led Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) held a recent engagement with the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Ops) of Pakistan Navy, Commodore Faisal Amin via video conference.

Rear Admiral Nejat Inanir of the Turkish Navy, the Commander of CTF 151, followed the current Covid-19 trend of using Zoom conference calling to discuss matters of mutual cooperation and security in the region. Pakistan will be assuming command of CTF 151 in December for a record ninth time, so this is a key time to prepare.

RAdm Inanir thanked the longstanding support and contribution of the Pakistan Navy to the Combined Maritime Forces in general and for Counter Piracy operations in particular.

Cdre Faisal commended the strong leadership of Turkish-led CTF 151.  He said: “All support will be provided to CTF 151 for Counter Piracy Operations as and when required.”

Turkish Navy Rear Adm. Nejat Inanir, commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, speaks with Pakistan Navy Commodore Faisal Amin, assistant Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, onscreen, during a video conference call onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain Sept. 30. CTF 151 conducts counter-piracy operations in two critical chokepoints in support of the free flow of global commerce as a part of Combined Maritime Forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Riggs)

Both Commanders agreed to provide further assistance and collaboration to achieve their common goal of providing maritime security in the region and making the seas safe for legitimate mariners and seafarers.

After thanking the Pakistan Navy for their support, RAdm Inanir said: “I am so pleased to see Pakistan contribute to CMF so effectively. Their support aids how we maintain maritime security and ensure the free flow of commercial maritime trade. We are seeing a large increase in small vessel activity now that the monsoon season is transitioning and it’s vital that CTF 151 continues to suppress any piracy activity early.”

Merchant vessels transiting through the Southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and around the Horn of Africa can enhance their maritime security awareness by following the guidance provided in BMP5, which includes using Armed Security Teams, using the Internationally Recognized Transit Corridor (IRTC) and notifying the UKMTO in Dubai of their progress.