NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Pakistan Navy Commodore Vaqar Muhammad relieved Royal New Zealand Navy Capt. Brendon Clark as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 during a ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Jan. 18.

220118-N-KZ419-1056 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (Jan. 18, 2022) Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), center, presides over the change of command between Royal New Zealand Navy Capt. Brendon Clark outgoing Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 commander, left, and Pakistan Navy Commodore Vaqar Muhammad, incoming CTF 150 commander during a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Jan. 18. CTF 150 is one of three task forces under CMF and conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf to ensure legitimate commercial shipping can transit the region free from non-state threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth)

Established in 2002, CTF 150 is one of three task forces under Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). CTF 150 conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf to ensure that legitimate commercial shipping can transit the region, free from non-state threats.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to have commanded Combined Task Force 150, leading a professional, high performing and agile team,” said Clark. “As a staff we achieved outstanding results, seizing in regional wholesale value $74.5 million worth of narcotics – the second largest haul in dollar value from a command team in the 20-year history of CMF.”

220118-N-KZ419-1048 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (Jan. 18, 2022) Royal New Zealand Navy Capt. Brendon Clark outgoing Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 commander, speaks during the CTF 150 change of command ceremony onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Jan. 18. CTF 150 is one of three task forces under Combined Maritime Forces and conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf to ensure legitimate commercial shipping can transit the region free from non-state threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth)

Clark served as the first commander of CTF 150 from the Royal New Zealand Navy. He will return to Auckland, New Zealand and serve as the captain of Fleet Operational Readiness at Devonport Naval Base.

Addressing the audience, Vaqar said, “My team is fully geared up to efficiently shoulder this prestigious responsibility to contribute towards maritime security and stability in the region. The Pakistan Navy believes in collaborative maritime security and will continue to work with coalition navies to safeguard peace and stability at sea.”

220118-N-KZ419-1106 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (Jan. 18, 2022) Pakistan Navy Commodore Vaqar Muhammad, incoming Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 commander speaks during the CTF 150 change of command ceremony onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Jan. 18. CTF 150 is one of three task forces under CMF and conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf to ensure legitimate commercial shipping can transit the region free from non-state threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth)

Vaqar is reporting from Pakistan Navy headquarters for Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) where he served as the commodore of Operational Training and Evaluation. This is the 12th time Pakistan is leading CTF 150.