NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Royal Jordanian Navy Col. Mohammad Ismail Al-Tarawneh relieved Brazilian Navy Rear Adm. André Luiz de Andrade Felix, as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 during a ceremony presided over by Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Nov. 18.

Established in 2009, CTF 151 is one of three task forces operated by CMF. CTF 151 enhances regional maritime cooperation and protects global maritime commerce by deterring, disrupting and suppressing piracy and armed robbery at sea.

“At the end of my tour of duty as CTF 151 commander, I feel I have accomplished my mission,” said Felix. “This is only possible because of the work of the sailors from 34 different countries, whose professionalism, commitment, respect for differences and education make the combined task force ready and stronger together.”

Felix served as the first commander of CTF 151 from the Brazilian Navy and led a multinational staff of personnel from Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Brazil, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Italy, Thailand and Pakistan.

“Our mission is clear and together we can achieve it,” said Al-Tarawneh. “I would like to thank Rear Adm. Felix and his team for their professionalism and hard work, and I look forward to further strengthening our partnership to protect the global maritime community we serve.”

Al-Tarawneh is reporting from the Royal Jordanian Navy headquarters in Aqaba, where he served as head of operations and training.

This will be the first time the Royal Jordanian Navy will take command of CTF 151.