MANAMA, Bahrain – Pakistan Navy Commodore Ahmed Hussain relieved Royal Jordanian Navy Col. Mohammad Al-Tarawneh as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 during a change-of-command ceremony, April 14, at Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) headquarters in Bahrain.

Royal Jordanian Navy Col. Mohammad Al-Tarawneh, left, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), center, and Pakistan Navy Commodore Ahmed Hussain, salute during a change-of-command ceremony for Combined Task Force 151, April 14, at CMF headquarters in Bahrain. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anita Chebahtah)

Established in 2009, CTF 151 enhances regional maritime cooperation and protects global maritime commerce by deterring, disrupting and suppressing piracy and armed robbery at sea.

“The Royal Jordanian Navy is a key part of CMF and will continue supporting efforts to provide stability and safeguard peace in the region,” said Al-Tarawneh. “The great efforts, cooperation and professionalism that my team from nine different nations provided guided the success of my mission. It has been an absolute pleasure to lead CTF 151 for the first time for the Royal Jordanian Navy.”

Royal Jordanian Navy Col. Mohammad Al-Tarawneh, left, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), center, and Pakistan Navy Commodore Ahmed Hussain, listen to a speech during a change-of-command ceremony for
Combined Task Force 151, April 14, at CMF headquarters in Bahrain. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Natianna Strachen)

Al-Tarawneh returns to Aqaba, Jordan, to serve as deputy commander of the Royal Jordanian Navy.

Ahmed is reporting from Pakistan Navy Headquarters where he served as the assistant chief of Naval Staff for communications.

During the change-of-command ceremony, Ahmed told the audience the Pakistan Navy believes in collaborative efforts to maintain security and stability for the uninterrupted flow of maritime traffic through the Middle East.

This is the 10th time Pakistan is leading CTF 151.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), left, speaks during a change-of-command ceremony for Combined Task Force 151, April 14, at CMF headquarters in Bahrain. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anita Chebahtah)

CMF provides maritime security and stability in the region, including counter-narcotics and counter-piracy operations, across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompasses some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), right, greets a member of the Pakistan Navy during a change-of-command ceremony for Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, April 14, at CMF headquarters in Bahrain.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Natianna Strachen)