MANAMA, Bahrain – The Republic of Korea assumed command of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 from the Royal Navy during a ceremony at the British Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, Aug. 23.

Royal Navy Capt. Jason Eacock turned over command of the counter-piracy task force to Republic of Korea Navy Capt. Yoon Hyun-woo.

Eacock assumed the U.K.’s second command of CTF 151 in February 2026. Throughout its command, the Royal Navy was supported by a diverse staff from seven partner nations, demonstrating the strength of multinational cooperation in counter-piracy operations.

“This [change of command] represents the enduring strength of combined maritime forces who are unyielding in their shared commitments,” said Navy Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander of CMF. “My deepest thanks to the CTF 151 team, your professionalism and resilience allowed the task force to continue its mission, despite an exceptionally challenging and dynamic regional environment.”

In spite of regional conflict, the team coordinated 17 contributing units, conducted 69 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance patrols, engaged regional partners in key leadership engagements, and responded to 25 active piracy-related incidents. These achievements reflect the dedication and professionalism of sailors, aviators, coastguardsmen and maritime professionals from across the CMF partnership.

“It has been both an honor and a privilege to command Combined Task Force 151 on behalf of the United Kingdom,” said Eacock. “Our collective naval presence, alongside [Operation Atalanta], has made a difference, despite the broader tensions in the region. Deterrence works, but the threat has not gone away and there is still much to do.”

Working together, CTF 151 continues to deter piracy, enhance maritime domain awareness and help ensure the free flow of commerce through one of the world’s most important maritime regions.

“I pay my highest respects to Captain Jason Eacock for his exceptional leadership and dedication in successfully completing his mission and outstanding command amidst the recent severe and uncertain security environment in the Middle East,” said Yoon Hyun-woo. “Although we gather here today from different nations, races and cultures, I will dedicate all my capability and passion to ensuring we become ‘One Team’ and accomplish our assigned mission.”

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 EUNAVFOR, and together with independently deployed naval ships, CTF 151 helps to patrol the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor.

CMF’s other task forces include CTF 150, which conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf against threats from no-state actors; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; CTF 153, providing maritime security in the Red Sea; and CTF 154, which delivers maritime training.

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 47 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.