MANAMA, Bahrain — Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 hosted the crew from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Ship Asahi (DD 119) at their headquarters, March 11.

JS Asahi is relieving the JS Murasamen (DD 101) and will join the counter-piracy patrol under CTF 151.

During the visit, CTF 151 briefed the JS Asahi crew on their mission as well as the current state of piracy in the region.  

Commander Takashiro Shota, commanding officer of the JS Asahi, also met with Pakistan Navy Cdre Sohail Azmie, commander of CTF 151. Azmie welcomed the crewmembers and extended his appreciation to the JMSDF for their continued support of CTF 151. The commander expressed his appreciation for the professionalism of JMSDF personnel, particularly those aboard the JS Murasame, which deployed to CMF’s area of responsibility last November for four months.

Azmie and CTF 151 Battle Watch team members also visited the JS Asahi, where the crew briefed the Task Force on the ship’s capabilities. During the briefing, Takashiro emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts towards maritime security.

The exchange provided an opportunity for the JS Asahi crew and CTF 151 staff to share views and experiences regarding operations under CMF.

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.