MANAMA, Bahrain – Royal Australian Navy Captain Jorge McKee, commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 153, conducted a successful visit to Jordan to meet with Chief of the Royal Jordan Navy, Colonel Hisham Khaleed Aljarrah, on December 11.

Before exchanging official gifts, the two leaders discussed recent regional security issues, as well as maritime challenges in the CTF 153 area of operations, which includes the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Colonel Aljarrah briefed Captain McKee on the Royal Jordanian Navy’s recent command of CTF 154, its current and future operations and capabilities, and Royal Jordanian Navy facilities.

Captain McKee and Colonel Aljarrah also discussed the many benefits of the maritime security enhancement training conducted by CTF 154.

Captain McKee said the visit was a positive and informative one.

“It was a very beneficial visit. Colonel Aljarrah shared his deep expertise and insights into security at sea,” Captain McKee said. “We discussed ways the CTF 153 can find illicit cargo at sea and how to keep merchant ships safe.”

“I was pleased to thank Colonel Aljarrah on behalf of CMF for the Royal Jordanian Navy’s commitment to CMF, both through the leadership role it has previously played and the contribution it continues to make to various staff positions.”

CTF 154 was under Royal Jordanian Navy leadership from November 22, 2023 until handing over command to the Egyptian Navy on June 30, 2024.

Captain McKee has been leading CTF 153 since the Royal Australian Navy assumed command on October 1, 2024.

CTF 153, one of five task forces under CMF, works to promote 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.