From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain — Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 153, with United Kingdom, United States and Canadian units assigned, recently concluded a focused operation in the Gulf of Aden geared toward deterring and disrupting smuggling of illicit narcotics and other controlled materials.

Conducted over six days in November, the operation saw coordination between the Royal Navy’s Type 23 Duke Class frigate HMS Lancaster, a Royal Canadian Space Agency Earth observation radar satellite and a United States Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

 “The satellite and aircraft helped find potential smugglers, so we could then deploy Lancaster to observe them discreetly,” CTF 153 Commander, Royal Australian Navy Capt. Jorge McKee said.

CTF 153’s operation coincided with other CMF forces conducting maritime operations in the region.

 “Of course, this focused activity was just one piece of the puzzle. While we were working against trafficking in the Gulf of Aden, other Combined Task Forces were doing similar things right across the region,” McKee said. “That is the power of the Combined Maritime Forces – everyone working together on the big picture by contributing their piece of the puzzle.”

McKee paid particular tribute to the work of the Royal Navy personnel supporting the operation at sea.

“Lancaster did a great job out there. The ship has a strong record of taking harmful material off the water. I look forward to working with Lancaster again,” Mckee said.

Lancaster is currently deployed to the Middle East region supporting maritime security operations. Earlier this year the frigate made a series of seizures totaling over 3,300kg of narcotics while supporting CTF 150.

Established on April 17, 2022, CTF 153 is one of five task forces under CMF. Its mission is promoting security, stability and prosperity in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and western Gulf of Aden in order to deter and impede illicit non-state actors. This is an area that includes some of the world’s most important shipping lanes connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean and the greater Middle East region. Australia assumed command of CTF 153 on Oct. 1 2024.

CMF is the world’s largest naval partnership, with 46 countries working together. Other task forces include CTF 150, focused on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden; CTF 151, which leads regional anti-piracy efforts; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; and CTF 154, enhancing maritime security training throughout the region.