MANAMA, BAHRAN — Pakistan-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) concluded Focused Operation Sea Spirit, April 26.

Personnel from 13 CMF partner nations, naval surface and air assets from six nations, eight Regional Coordination Centers (RCC)/ Maritime Security Centers (MSC), and European Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR) OP ATALANTA (CTF-465) participated in and supported the operation aimed at combating piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, Gulf of Aden and Socotra Gap.

Participating units also conducted visit, board, search, and seizure drills using helicopters and tactical maneuvers to sharpen counter-piracy capabilities and interoperability.

“Sea Spirit showcased the collective resolve of CMF-partner nations, through vivid contributions for enduring military presence across a dynamic area of operation,” said Pakistan Navy Capt. Ashfaq Ali, deputy commander of CTF 151. “Regional Coordination Centers were instrumental in Maritime Domain Awareness for critical information exchange and seamless coordination. This unified effort transformed individual national resolve into shared success for safeguarding the maritime commons for all.”

During the operation, Pakistan Navy Ship Hunain provided medical assistance to an Iranian vessel Al-Yasir that was out at sea for two months and had been operating almost 600 nautical miles from the coast, April 22. Additionally, Djibouti Coast Guard and Djibouti Navy Patrol Boats intercepted two illegal migrant boats, April 22 and 23.

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.