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…
CTF 150: Getting into the Holiday (and Hockey) Season’s Spirit #WorldJuniors
With temperatures averaging in the mid-20s here in Manama, Bahrain, Canada’s Operation ARTEMIS team may not be having a white Christmas this year – but they are taking time from their busy schedule, leading Combined Task Force 150, to get into the holiday (and hockey) spirit
This Christmas season, the Canadians brought some “old school” style hockey to the “alleyways” of Bahrain introducing some of their American, Australian and Pakistani colleagues to Canada’s Game.
Commander Combined Task Force 151 engages with UAE Top Brass
Commander Combined Task Force 151 Commodore M Shuaib SI(M) (Pakistan Navy) visited the United Arab Emirates from 6-9 Dec 16 where he met with key officials responsible for the nation’s maritime and coastal security. During his visit he called upon a number of senior UAE naval officers, and the Chairman of the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) Major General Faris Khalfan Al Mazrouei (UAE Air Force). The meetings were aimed to maintain and improve the current level of cooperation between the Combined Maritime Forces and UAE. While visiting the country the Commodore also attended the MEIVOM conference where he met maritime industry and security agency representatives. The conference brought together military, shipping industry executives, and government representatives to discuss topics relating to maintaining a safe and stable environment for mariners across region’s waters.
Commodore M Shuaib SI (M), Commander Combined Task Force 151 meeting with the Chairman of the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) Major General (Staff) Faris Khalfan Al Mazrouei (UAE Air Force).
Canada takes the helm of CTF 150 from Pakistan
PRESS RELEASE 8 Dec 16 Pakistan hands over to Canada at CTF 150 Change of Command Ceremony Canada has taken command of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 after conducting a change of command ceremony with the Pakistan Navy today. Commodore Haydn C. Edmundson of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) assumed command of CTF 150 from Commodore Bilal Abdul Nasir of the Pakistan Navy (PKN) at a ceremony at Naval Central Command, Bahrain. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Kevin M Donegan USN, Commander US Naval Forces Central Command, Commander US Fifth Fleet and Commander Combined Maritime Forces. His Excellency the Ambassador of Pakistan to Bahrain Mr Javed Malik and His Excellency the Ambassador of Canada to Bahrain Mr Denis Horak were in attendance. Commodore Nasir’s wife Nahide and family were also present. CTF 150 is primarily focused on disrupting terrorist organisations and their unlawful…
Pakistan hands over Combined Task Force 150 to Canada at the Change of Command Ceremony in Bahrain
20161208-coc-ctf-150_pkn-can_pr-u Commodore Bilal Abdul Nasir hands over command of CTF 150 to Commodore Haydn C Edmundson while Vice Adm Kevin M Donegan presides