From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain – The commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) discussed his vision for anti-piracy operations with the newly appointed commander of European Union Naval Forces’ Operation ATALANTA, Feb. 26.

Pakistan Navy Cdre. Sohail Azmie, who assumed command of CTF 151 in January, spoke via video teleconference with Italian Navy Rear Adm. Davide Da Pozzo, who recently assumed command of CTF-465, ATALANTA’s operational arm. The two leaders discussed their commitment to suppressing piracy and armed robbery to ensure the safety of vital sea-lanes. Despite operating under distinct multinational frameworks – CTF 151 under the 46-nation CMF partnership and CTF-465 under the EU-led Operation ATALANTA – they found common ground on three critical areas: aligning operational strategies, enhancing cooperation for focused anti-piracy operations, and establishing a framework for consistent coordination between the two forces.

Azmie also congratulated Da Pozzo on assuming command of CTF-465 and assured him of CTF 151’s continued support.

“CTF-465’s contribution to maritime security in the region is invaluable and we seek to work more closely to deter and suppress the menace of piracy,” Azmie said.

Da Pozzo acknowledged the importance of collaborative efforts in protecting global commons, and added that CTF-465 will continue to support CMF and CTF-151 operations with its assets and personnel.

Both commanders discussed CTF-151’s upcoming focused operations, and how both forces can enhance coordination to ensure optimal presence in the region. Such coordination, the leaders agreed, would lead to tighter operational coordination and information sharing for generating effective responses to incidents.

With plans for regular operational and staff-level meetings, both commanders said they believe their task forces are poised to set new standards for multinational counter-piracy efforts, and ensure stability of the maritime commons in the world’s most important region.

CTF 151 was established as a multinational task force in January 2009, and is one of five operational task forces under CMF. In conjunction with the EUNAVFOR, and together with independently deployed naval ships, CTF 151 helps to patrol the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor.

CMF headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world, with 46 nations committed to upholding the international rules-based order at sea. It promotes security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.