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,…
Combined Maritime Forces Bids Farewell to Vice Admiral Paparo
Vice Adm. Samuel J. Paparo has formally handed over command of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) to Vice Adm. Brad Cooper in a ceremony held at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, May 5. Paparo, a U.S. naval aviator and Topgun graduate, will assume duties as the 4-star commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) based in Hawaii. Cooper takes command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and CMF, having most recently commanded U.S. Naval Surface Force Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia. CMF headquarters – located in Bahrain for 20 – years is the largest naval coalition in the world, with 34 nations partnered and committed to combating counter-piracy, counter-terror and counter illicit trafficking from non-state actors. “CMF works so well because of the relationships between strategic partners, regional forces and international organizations to deliver maritime security operations and to build maritime security across the region,” said Paparo. “We are invested…
Japanese Ships Hand Over CTF-151 Counter-Piracy Duties
The Japanese warship Ariake will be heading home after completing five months of counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. Led by Commander Naritaka Ezawa, JS Ariake, a Murasame Class Destroyer, has conducted safeguarding duties for hundreds of merchant ships on their transit through the region. Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 Commander, Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M) has offered special thanks to the Ariake for her support to the Task Force’s important mission. During her time in support of CTF-150, JS Ariake participated in additional focused operations to deter piracy activities. The Ariake crew has also engaged in several Passage Exercises, demonstrating their ability to operate alongside warships from other nations. The ability to operate together, despite a potential language barrier, is key to the success of CTF-151 in combating piracy. The more warships use a common set of standard operating procedures, the greater the flexibility provided at the command…
Combined Task Force Visits Senior Oman Armed Forces Leadership
Commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M) visited the Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, Vice Admiral Abdullah Bin Khamis Al Raisi, and the Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman, Rear Admiral Saif Bin Nassir Al Rahbi in Oman. The meetings, held on 8th April under strict COVID guidelines, included talks around future capacity building and counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden. All parties were keen to provide complete support for CMF operations. Commander of CTF-151, Commodore Abdul Munib (L) and the Commander of Royal Navy of Oman, Rear Admiral Saif Bin Nassir Al Rahbi (R) discuss mutual interests, maritime security and enhancing cooperation and collaboration between CMF and the Royal Navy of Oman. (Photo: Combined Task Force 151). During their visit, RAdm Al Rahbi praised Cdre Munib on his team’s successful conduct of their recent Focused Operation (FO)…
Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff Visits CMF Headquarters
Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi visited Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) headquarters in Bahrain, March 15. During the visit he met with Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M), the Pakistan Navy Commander of CTF-151, and Royal Navy Commodore Ed Ahlgren, deputy commander of CMF, to discuss Pakistan’s contribution to the enduring CMF partnership, and the ongoing success in deterring piracy from the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Oman. In the past year, there have been no successful piracy attempts on merchant vessels in the CTF-151 area of operations; no mean feat given the vast area of water covered. “CMF works so well because of the relationship between strategic partners, regional forces and international organizations to deliver maritime security operations and to build maritime security across the region,” said Ahlgren. “This in turn will benefit the overall commercial and military shipping industry by helping to safeguard…
CTF-151 Leads Multinational Counter-Piracy Operation
A large multinational counter-piracy operation has been conducted by the Pakistan-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 in the Gulf of Aden. Focused Operation (FO) TAHAFFUZ was held from 26 February to 5 March, 2021, and was supported by assets from nine different nations with a shared objective to protect global maritime commerce. “FO TAHAFFUZ was conducted to support Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)’s overall campaign objectives of deterring suspected pirates from re-commencing their operations in the region,” said Chief of Staff to Commander CTF 151, Captain Adnan Laghari of Pakistan Navy. “Although the FO is now concluded, we still encourage all merchantmen plying through the Gulf of Aden to keep following the Best Management Practice BMP5 guidelines, and using the Internationally Recognized Transit Corridor for their safety.” In addition to Pakistan Navy, the US Navy, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Hellenic Navy, Spanish Navy, and European Union Naval Force Somalia (Operation ATALANTA)…
Commanders of CTF-151 and CTF-465 Discuss Future Joint Operations
CTF-151 Commander Commodore (Cdre) Abdul Munib SI (M) recently held a video teleconference with the Commander of EUNAVFOR’s Task Force-465 (TF-465), Commodore Diogo Arroteia. While Cdre Munib was at CMF HQ in Bahrain, Cdre Arroteia was operating from the Spanish frigate Reina Sofía, as they actively conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. Cdre Munib thanked Cdre Arroteia for his continuous support in providing TF-465 ships and maritime patrol aircraft; “We have been supporting each other well out at sea to maintain our force flow and respond to maritime security events. We need to maintain this coordination in the future as well.” “Together, we need to keep our guard up for any suspicious activity out at sea and relay information to all stakeholders; the area of operations is big, and working in collaboration is key to conducting effective patrols independently,” he added. After assuming command of the CTF-151 on…
CTF-151 and Djibouti Hold Talks to Combat Piracy
The Commander of Pakistan-led Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) held a recent engagement via Zoom with the Commander of the Coastguard and Deputy Commander of the Djibouti Marine Nationale. Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M) of Pakistan Navy followed the current Covid-19 trend of using Zoom conference calling to discuss future collaboration and encourage counter-piracy capability development. The virtual meeting also validates that despite Covid-19 restrictions, the CTF-151 mission to engage with regional partners remains at the forefront of CMF’s operational activity. “We share a common goal – to ensure free flow of commerce,” said Cdre Munib. “At CTF-151, our measure of success is to ensure zero piracy incidents. We are already there, now we need to maintain it. Our mutual cooperation and coordination can make this happen.” He added his desire to assist Djibouti in its pathway to joining the CMF as a member nation, further enhancing cooperation between participant nations. Colonel Waiss…
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…