The Pakistan Navy handed over command of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) to the Brazilian Navy in a change of command ceremony June 9.
This is the first time the Brazilian Navy has assumed command of CTF 151, a multinational force that counters piracy and protects global maritime commerce across an area encompassing the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, and southern Red Sea. Brazil are CMFs first South American members to undertake a period of command, highlighting CMFs unique role as a regionally focused coalition with a truly global membership.
Rear Admiral André Luiz Andrade Felix, Brazilian Navy, assumed command of CTF 151 from Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M), Pakistan Navy, at a ceremony at CMF Headquarters at Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
Presiding over the event was Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, U.S. Navy, Commander of Combined Maritime Forces, who praised the Pakistan Navy team. “Commodore Munib and his crew from the Pakistan Navy have done an outstanding job leading CTF 151 for the last six months. This is the ninth time the Pakistan Navy has led this combined task force, and we look forward to their continued support in the years to come.”
On handing over command, Munib said, “My staff from eight nations have contributed immensely through their unique experience and strengths to make this tenure a success. It is a matter of satisfaction for me to have engaged with a number of regional partners in my command like Djibouti, Oman and Yemen; positively contributing in their capacity building. We have been successful in keeping piracy suppressed through coordinated efforts of partner nations and maritime industry.”
Attending the changeover ceremony were His Excellency Muhammad Ayub, Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Kingdom of Bahrain; Rear Admiral Javaid Iqbal SI (M), Pakistan Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations); Rear Admiral Mohammad Yousif Al-Asam, Commander, Royal Bahrain Naval Force; Ambassador Hae Kwan Chung, Republic of Korea; Ambassador Masayuki Miyamoto, Japan; Ambassador Esin Cakil, Turkey; Ambassador Thanis Na Songhkla, Thailand; and senior officials from other partner nations.
Combined Maritime Forces is the world’s largest multinational maritime partnership, consisting of 34 contributing nations drawn from 6 continents. CMF’s area of operations covers some of the world’s most important shipping lanes in the Middle East and Western Indian Ocean.
CTF 151 came into existence in 2009 to maintain the integrity of vital sea lines of communications and mitigate the risks of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, and the Indian Ocean.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 