French Navy Frigate Seizes Narcotics 2nd Time in Week
French Marine Nationale frigate FS Languedoc, operating in support of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), seized more than 3,600 kilograms of illegal drugs during a maritime counter-narcotics operation in the Indian Ocean, Sept. 27. This was Languedoc’s second intercept and search of a vessel suspected of smuggling in the past seven days. The most recent seizure resulted in the confiscation of hash valued at $1.86 million. Languedoc was conducting patrols in support of CMF’s New Zealand-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 when it seized the illegal drugs. “For the second time in a week, Languedoc has demonstrated expertise and professionalism in seizing a large volume of narcotics that would have otherwise been destined for market, with the funds from the sale being used to finance terrorism and criminal activity,” said Royal New Zealand Navy Capt. Brendon Clark, commander of CTF 150. On Sept. 20, Languedoc seized more than 1,525 kilograms of…
French Navy Frigate Seizes $5.2 Million Worth of Narcotics
French Marine Nationale frigate FS Languedoc, operating in support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), seized more than 1,600 kg of illegal drugs during a maritime counter-narcotics operation in the Indian Ocean, Sept. 20. The intercept and search of a vessel suspected of smuggling resulted in the seizure of more than 1,525 kg of hash and 166 kg of methamphetamine with a combined value of over $5.2 million. Languedoc was conducting patrols in support of CMF’s New Zealand-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 when it seized the illegal drugs. “The seizure of narcotics from a dhow in the Indian Ocean is testament to the strong partnership between CMF, the Marine Nationale and CTF 150, said Royal New Zealand Navy Capt. Brendon Clark, commander of CTF 150. “Languedoc has once again demonstrated that through collaboration with like-minded partners, CMF is able to seize and destroy millions of dollars’ worth of narcotics,…
Task Force 152 Holds Change of Command
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Kuwait Naval Force Col. Ebraheem Al-Dawai relieved Saudi Border Guard Capt. Ali bin Madi Al-Qahtani as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 during a ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sept. 2. Established in 2004, CTF 152 is one of three task forces operated by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). CTF 152 enhances regional maritime cooperation by focusing on illicit non-state actors in the Arabian Gulf. “With the dynamic environment that we operate in, it is more important than ever that our strong coalitions endure and thrive,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of NAVCENT, U.S. 5th Fleet and CMF. Al-Qahtani served as the first commander of CTF 152 from the Saudi Border Guard and led a multinational staff of personnel from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. “Captain Al-Qahtani blazed a historic trail for the Saudi Border Guard as it was the first time…
Royal Canadian Navy Hands Over Command of CTF-150 to Royal New Zealand Navy
MANAMA, Bahrain–Commodore Dan Charlebois of the Royal Canadian Navy turned over command of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) to Capt. Brendon Clark of the Royal New Zealand Navy in a ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, July 15. CTF-150 is a multinational naval partnership aimed at disrupting terrorist organizations from conducting operations or moving weapons, personnel, or income-generating narcotics and charcoal in the maritime domain of the Arabian Gulf. The ceremony marked the end of a highly successful tour for Charlebois and the Royal Canadian Navy since taking command of the task force in January, 2020. During that time, CTF-150 interdicted 55,605 kg of illicit narcotics, worth an estimated $160 million. Commodore Edward Ahlgren, Deputy Commander CMF, congratulated Charlebois and his crew for their success. “That’s $160 million that will never enter into the pockets of malign forces. Success is never an accident. This kind of success is proof of…
Naval Leaders Strengthen Regional Maritime Partnerships During Annual CMF Maritime Security Conference
MANAMA, Bahrain–Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, and U.S. 5th Fleet, praised CMF for “making the region safer and more prosperous” during the 2021 Maritime Security Conference, July 14. The annual conference was held at CMF headquarters in Bahrain and brought together representatives from CMF’s 34 member nations to discuss the year’s accomplishments in promoting lasting regional maritime security and future opportunities and challenges. “This gathering is such a tremendous opportunity for the members of Combined Maritime Forces to strengthen our partnerships – and in the process continue to make the region safer and more prosperous,” said Cooper. “It’s a privilege to be part of such a vital and unified group.” CMF leads international task forces that counter piracy, protect freedom of navigation from non-state actors, and disrupts the shipment of drugs and illegal arms. For example, in the past year,…
FS Languedoc Expands CTF-150 Record with $4.3 Million Counter Narcotics Seizure
French Marine Nationale ship FS Languedoc, assigned to Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, seized 902 lbs (409 kg) of heroin worth over $4.3 million dollars during a maritime counter-narcotics operation, June 6. Within twenty-four hours of entering the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) area of operations, the French frigate identified a potential smuggler and began boarding procedures to identify and seize the illegal drugs, ensuring millions of dollars in proceeds were kept out of the hands of terrorist organizations and other groups who would have used this money to bring harm to others. “The counter-narcotics operation we conducted on June 6 went very smoothly. The crew’s adaptability, and the support we had from CTF-150, was put to good use to conduct this operation effectively, despite the darkness and rough seas,” said Captain Yves Le Goff, commanding officer of FS Languedoc. “We are proud to have contributed to the fight against illicit…
HMCS Calgary Redeploys with CMF Record for Most Interdictions by a Single Ship
Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ship HMCS Calgary conducted three successful counter-narcotics interdictions June 4-7, raising their total to 17 in eight weeks, and setting a record for the most interdictions by a vessel in a single deployment in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, part of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). Calgary’s final three seizures include 9,160 lbs (4,155 kg) of hashish seized on June 4, and 474 lbs (215 kg) of heroin in two separate interdictions June 6-7. The estimated value of the seizures is over $4.37 million dollars. “I’m so impressed with the work of HMCS Calgary and all of our international partners in Combined Task Force 150,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CMF. “Setting the CMF record for maritime interdictions is a credit to the dedication and leadership of Calgary’s crew, and the Royal Canadian Navy. More importantly, these interdictions resulted in the destruction of…
Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil) takes first Command in CMF
The Pakistan Navy handed over command of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) to the Brazilian Navy in a change of command ceremony June 9. This is the first time the Brazilian Navy has assumed command of CTF 151, a multinational force that counters piracy and protects global maritime commerce across an area encompassing the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, and southern Red Sea. Brazil are CMFs first South American members to undertake a period of command, highlighting CMFs unique role as a regionally focused coalition with a truly global membership. Rear Admiral André Luiz Andrade Felix, Brazilian Navy, assumed command of CTF 151 from Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M), Pakistan Navy, at a ceremony at CMF Headquarters at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Presiding over the event was Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, U.S. Navy, Commander of Combined Maritime Forces, who…
Senior Pakistan Navy Officers Visit United States Coast Guard Training Facility
Combined Maritime Forces’ counter-piracy task force commander, Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M), and the commander of Pakistan’s Navy flotilla in the region, Commodore Khan Muhamad Asif SI (M) visited the U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Force Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) squadron training facility in Bahrain. The Commodores and their teams, including the Commanding Officers of Pakistan ships PNS Alamgir and PNS Azmat received a briefing from PATFORSWA Commanding Officer Captain Willie L. Carmichael before touring the engineering warehouse and the Maritime Engagement Team facility. The tour included the unique ‘Ship in a Box’ – a 1:1-scale mockup of a dhow inside an environmentally-controlled facility, used to train ships’ boarding teams on Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) procedures. The facility also contains mock up containers of a merchant vessel on which similar procedures are practiced. “This facility provides an excellent opportunity for CMF member nations to train their crew for Maritime Security…
Canadian and Australian members from CTF-150 Contribute to Seychelles Capacity-Building Initiative to Enhance Regional Maritime Security
Canadian and Australian staff from the multinational Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) deployed to the Republic of Seychelles from May 1-14, 2021 to provide training assistance to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Their goal was to help build the capacity of regional partners in maritime security operations. The training involved participants from four nations – Comoros, Kenya, Tanzania, and Seychelles – who took part in both practical and theoretical courses related to Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) as well as Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). The courses included search techniques, legal briefings, equipment and weapons handling, operational planning, safety procedures, practical exercises, and a swimming assessment. Through their enhanced knowledge and practical training, recipients will be better positioned to contribute to enhanced maritime security and safety of navigation in the East African regional waters. This is the first time that the multinational task force contributes to…