CTF-151 AND RBNF HOLD TALKS TO COMBAT PIRACY IN THE REGION
The Commander of the Pakistan-led Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M) held a recent engagement with the Commander of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF), Rear Admiral Mohamed Yousif Al-Asam at their headquarters. The RBNF has a long history of supporting counter-piracy and maritime security operations in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Area of Operations. While thanking the Admiral for the two Bahraini staff officers supporting CTF-151, Cdre Munib said; “I am extremely delighted at the wonderful job your officers are doing in the CTF-151 team. This helps, not only with mutual learning, but also for capacity-building amongst member nations.” “The measure of performance at CTF-151 is to have zero incidents of piracy in the region. We are continuously working to maintain this status in the region,” added Cdre Munib. “The cooperation and support extended by RBNF has helped the CMF forces in a big way…
Turkish Navy hands over Task Force command to Pakistan
Rear Adm. Nejat Inanir of the Turkish Navy has formally handed-over command of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) Combined Task Force 151 to Commodore Abdul Munib of the Pakistani Navy, in a special ceremony held at the US Navy’s NAVCENT headquarters in Bahrain, Dec. 9. This concludes Turkey’s sixth command of CTF-151. Formed in 2009, CTF-151 this maritime defence force is primarily dedicated to the deterrence, disruption and suppression of piracy and armed robbery at sea, and to engage with regional and other partners to strengthen relevant capabilities in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin and the Indian Ocean. RAdm Inanir praised the international nature of the Task Force, citing this as the main reason for its ongoing success. “We have a truly international blend of staff from 10 countries, each bringing their own culture and experience to our task force,” he said. “The wide range of strengths and different approaches…
CTF-151 and Royal Navy of Oman Talk of Future Counter-Piracy Operations
Commander of CTF 151 (CCTF 151), Rear Admiral Nejat Inanir held a Zoom call with Rear Admiral Abdullah Bin Kamis Bin Abdullah Al Raisi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (CRNO) to discuss future combined efforts around the Gulf of Aden. Discussions were held between the two commanders to ensure that future counter-piracy operations are as successful as the recent Focused Operation Shamal, which saw forces from Oman, Djiouti, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea and Japan participate in a large coordinated maritime operation to deter piracy and reassure merchant shipping. Rear Admiral Inanir said: “I pass on my thanks and appreciation on behalf of CMF for all the support given by the Royal Navy of Oman. By working together, we have managed to suppress piracy and keep the waters safe for all legitimate mariners. Knowing that Oman will assist with future operations is a very welcome statement of intent…
CMF and EU NAVFOR prepare to host 47th SHADE Conference
CMF, in partnership with EU Naval Forces (EU NAVFOR) will host the 47th SHADE Conference virtually on 3rd-4th November with representatives from across the maritime industry and regional and international militaries. The Shared Awareness and De-confliction Conference (SHADE), is a forum which brings together nations, international organizations and members of the shipping industry who share a common interest in combating piracy and broader maritime security issues. Each year, CMF and EU NAVFOR co-chair the conference, which includes working groups, as well as expert guest speakers discussing issues that affect maritime trade as well as ways to improve cooperation between the interested parties. This year, due to the global health pandemic, the SHADE Conference will be a hybrid event, hosted physically from the CMF Headquarters in Bahrain, and also virtually, via a video link. Alongside workshops with members of the maritime trade industry, senior representatives and flag officers from a variety…
CTF 151 and Pakistan Navy hold talks to combat piracy
The Turkish-led Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) held a recent engagement with the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Ops) of Pakistan Navy, Commodore Faisal Amin via video conference. Rear Admiral Nejat Inanir of the Turkish Navy, the Commander of CTF 151, followed the current Covid-19 trend of using Zoom conference calling to discuss matters of mutual cooperation and security in the region. Pakistan will be assuming command of CTF 151 in December for a record ninth time, so this is a key time to prepare. RAdm Inanir thanked the longstanding support and contribution of the Pakistan Navy to the Combined Maritime Forces in general and for Counter Piracy operations in particular. Cdre Faisal commended the strong leadership of Turkish-led CTF 151. He said: “All support will be provided to CTF 151 for Counter Piracy Operations as and when required.” Both Commanders agreed to provide further assistance and collaboration to…
39th SHADE Conference in Bahrain
PRESS RELEASE 30th Nov 2016 Information sharing is key at the 39th SHADE Conference in Bahrain The conference centre at the British Club in Manama, Bahrain was packed full of delegates from around the world for the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction Conference (SHADE) on Wednesday 30 Nov. Representatives from NATO, EUNAVFOR, Combined Maritime Forces, US 5th Fleet, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization, Somalia, Oceans Beyond Piracy Organization, The World Food Programme, Merchant shipping industry and the Russian Federation and China discussed their joint efforts in response to the threats to the free flow of commerce in the region. The spillover of regional conflict in to the maritime environment is a threat that is clear and present in the Southern Red Sea and Bab al Mandeb Strait (BAM) seen in the recent attack on MV Swift. Another incident in that waterway, the attack on MV Galicia Spirit, has…
CTF 151 Handover #piracy #maritimesecurityoperations
Republic of Korea handover to Pakistan at CTF 151 Change of Command Ceremony 
Pakistan has taken command of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 after conducting a change of command ceremony with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy today. This was presided over by Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan USN, Commander US Naval Forces Central Command, Commander US Fifth Fleet and Commander Combined Maritime Forces. CTF 151’s principal mission is to disrupt piracy and armed robbery in the maritime environment across an area of almost 3.2 million square miles, encompassing the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin and Southern Red Sea.
Commodore Muhammad Shuaib SI (M), Pakistan Navy, assumed command of CTF 151 from Rear Admiral Nam Dong Woo, ROK Navy, on 26th October 2016 at a ceremony at CMF headquarters in Bahrain. His Excellency the Ambassador of Pakistan and His Excellency the Ambassador of The Republic of Korea were in attendance.
Pakistan has previously commanded CTF 151 seven times and also currently commands the CMF counter-terrorism CTF 150. During the next four months Commodore Shuaib will lead a multi-national team to deter pirates, reassure those who ply the seas legitimately and facilitate the free flow of commerce across his area of operations.
Not only does CTF 151 synchronise its efforts with those of similar task forces from the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, it also works closely with a number of independent nations patrolling the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. Additionally, CTF 151 units also assist mariners in distress and conduct other humanitarian work as required.
On handing over command, Rear Admiral Nam said: “I am proud to have served here, and of all we have achieved together. I am convinced that Commodore Shuaib will continue to enjoy success as he takes command of CTF 151.”
On assuming command, Commodore Shuaib said it was a privilege to lead the Pakistan CTF 151 command rotation. He praised the successes of Rear Admiral Woo’s team, both at sea and in their active engagement with regional nations and remarked that, “Pakistan is equally committed and prepared to shoulder the challenging responsibility of keeping the regional maritime environment safe. I will continue to develop ways to share information and coordinate counter piracy efforts to ensure that lawful trade is not hindered by piracy.”
Commodore Shuaib concluded, “In the Pakistan Navy we value the trust and confidence placed in us by our like-minded friends in CMF. We will continue the good work of ROK Navy and look forward to leading such an important mission.”
Counter-piracy task forces strengthen ties
Commander Combined Task Force (CCTF) 151, Rear Admiral (RAdm) Nam Dong Woo recently visited Commodore René Luyckx, CCTF 465, of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) to strengthen ties.
Singapore handover to Korea at CTF 151 Change of Command Ceremony
The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy has taken command of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 after conducting a handover ceremony with the Republic of Singapore Navy. CTF 151’s principal mission is to suppress piracy in the maritime environment.
CCTF 151 recognises the contributions of the JMSDF
CCTF 151 Rear Admiral (RAdm) Cheong visited Captain Shinichi Kawabata, the Commander of the Japanese P3 Deployment Air-force for Counter Piracy Enforcement (DAPE), at the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) facility in Djibouti.