USS Philippine Sea Interdicts Over $2.8 Million of Heroin in North Arabian Sea
The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), deployed to U.S. Fifth Fleet and operating in support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), interdicted a shipment of more than 600 lbs. (275 kg) of suspected narcotics from a dhow in the international waters of the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 30. Seven bags of suspected narcotics were seized and tested, resulting in a seizure of approximately 600 lbs. (275 kg) of suspected heroin, worth $2.89 million wholesale. This seizure, conducted in direct support of CMF’s Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, marks the seventh CMF drug seizure since October 2020. To mitigate the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, the boarding team undertook carefully executed precautionary measures during and after the boarding, to include decontamination of all seized contraband. CTF-150 conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf to disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations, ensuring legitimate commercial shipping can transit the region,…
Royal Saudi Naval Forces Hand Over Task Force Command to Canadian Navy
Rear Admiral Sulieman Al Faqeeh of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces has formally handed-over command of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 to Commodore Dan Charlebois of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), in a special ceremony held at the US Navy’s NAVCENT headquarters in Bahrain, Jan. 27, 2021. This concludes Saudi Arabia’s second command of CTF-150, after taking over from the French Marine Nationale in August 2020. Formed in 2002, CTF-150 is a maritime defence force that conducts Maritime Security Operations outside the Arabian Gulf. Primarily dedicated to the deterrence, disruption and suppression of trafficking and other illicit maritime activity, CTF-150 also engages with regional and other partners to strengthen relevant capabilities in the region. “These seizures have also helped international law enforcement agencies to develop a better understanding of current shifts in the drugs trade,” said Al Faqeeh at the ceremony. “Most importantly, these seizures have…
CTF 152 and CTF 150 Talk Turkey
Today’s photo of the day is of Commander, CTF 152 Colonel Adbelkader Almarahleh Royal Jordanian Navy hosting his Combined Maritime Forces CTF 150 counterpart Commodore Haydn Edmundson Royal Canadian Navy, at the CTF 152 headquarters in Bahrain. Discussion topics included increasing collaboration between the two task forces and exploring opportunities for future operations. استقبل قائد القوة حفظ الواجب المشتركة (CTF 152) العقيد عبدالقادر المراحلة من القوة البحرية الملكية الاردنية قائد قوة حفظ الواجب المشتركة(CTF150) العقيد هايدن ادمونسون من البحرية الكندية وذلك في مقر القيادة بمملكة البحرين. خلال المقابلة قام الطرفان مناقشة سبل تطوير التعاون وإمكانية تنفيد عمليات مشتركة بين القيادتين.
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.
Australia’s Chief of Navy visits Combined Task Force 150
Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 hosted a visit from the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Chief of Navy and Warrant Officer of the Navy on December 16, 2016.
Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN and Warrant Officer Gary Wight spent time in the CTF 150 Headquarters at the Naval Support Activity, Bahrain.
Unveiling Canada’s CTF 150 deployment badge
Today we’re presenting Canada’s deployment badge during its tenure commanding CTF 150. Cdre Haydn Edmundson CAF assumed command of CMF’s mission to promote maritime security covering an area encompassing the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman on 8 December holding the reins until April next year. This emblem does not replace the original CTF 150 badge designed in 2001, which remains extant. The folks at the Canadian CTF 150 HQ have been kind enough to break down what the different parts of the crest mean (image 2) – we hope you find it as interesting we do.
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