SHADE CONFERENCE 2022
CMF and EU NAVFOR invite nations, international organisations and members of the shipping industry to the 49th SHADE Conference, 19 January 2022. Who will attend? The event is open to all members of the shipping industry, nations, and internal organisations who have a shared interest in countering piracy and maintaining maritime security in the region. Keep up to date with CMF Contact us using the hashtag #SHADEConference throughout the event!
U.S. Navy Ships Interdict Heroin Worth $4 Million with International Task Force
MANAMA, Bahrain – Two U.S. Navy ships seized 385 kilograms of heroin worth approximately $4 million from a stateless fishing vessel transiting the Arabian Sea, Dec. 27. U.S. Coast Guard personnel embarked aboard USS Tempest (PC 2) and USS Typhoon (PC 5) discovered the illegal shipment while conducting a flag verification boarding in accordance with customary international law. The confiscated drugs were destroyed at sea by U.S. forces. The coastal patrol ships were operating as part of an international task force called Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which has increased regional patrols to locate and disrupt unlawful maritime activity. CTF 150 is one of three task forces under Combined Maritime Forces. “This latest seizure is a demonstration that CTF 150 and assigned surface and air assets are ready to conduct interdiction operations 365 days a year,” said Royal New Zealand Navy Capt. Brendon Clark, commander of CTF 150. In 2021,…
CTF 150 Seizes Record Amount of Illegal Drugs in 2021
MANAMA, Bahrain – One of Combined Maritime Forces’ three task forces has seized a record amount of illegal drugs in 2021, which included narcotics confiscated during eight successful interdictions in the Indian Ocean last month. Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 has seized more than $189 million worth of illegal drugs (at regional wholesale prices) during counter-narcotics operations at sea in 2021. The drugs seized this year have a higher total value than the amount of drugs the task force interdicted in the previous four years combined. CTF 150 successfully seized and destroyed 6,550 kilograms of heroin, 4,052 kilograms of methamphetamine and 56,834 kilograms of hashish so far this year, equating to over three times more methamphetamine than in any other year since 2016, and the largest amount of heroin since the task force’s establishment in 2002. The multinational partnership conducts maritime security and counter-terrorism operations at sea, outside the Arabian…
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…
Kuwait hands over Command of CTF 152 to Jordan
The outgoing Commander Combined Task Force 152 (CCTF 152), Colonel Nayef Alaskar of the Kuwait Naval Force, has handed over command to his successor, Colonel Abdelkader Almarahleh, of the Royal Jordanian Naval Force, at a formal Change of Command ceremony held in Bahrain.
Pakistan assumes command of CTF 151 from Turkey
On 21 December 2015 command of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) passed from the Turkish Navy under the command of Rear Admiral Ayhan Bay to Commodore Zahid Ilyas SI(M) S Bt of the Pakistan Navy.
Combined Maritime Forces continue the fight against illegal drugs
The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) have continued their success against illegal narcotics and made another seizure of heroin off the coast of East Africa. This latest haul of 216 kilograms of high purity heroin has an estimated value of approximately US$148 million.
CTF 152 successfully conducts coordinated operations in the Gulf
Combined Task Force 152 (CTF 152) recently conducted a coordinated maritime focused operation in the Gulf. These types of operations are designed to track, counter and build an understanding of any illicit activity in the Gulf in order to ensure stability in the region.
The Kuwait-led CTF 152, based in Bahrain, used naval and air assets from the United States, United Kingdom and Kuwait to conduct the joint operation in support of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) mission of deterring criminal and terrorist activity in the Gulf and maintaining regional maritime security.
French and Australian units from CTF-150 meet at sea in the Arabian Sea
In mid-July, while patrolling off the coast of Oman, Her Majesty Australian Ship (HMAS) Newcastle and French Ship (FS) Var met at sea to lead several interactions. Both units were operating in the frame of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) missions, to fight against terrorism and related illicit activities inside the Indian Ocean. The ships Commanding Officer’s organised a cross deck and a tour between the two platforms to foster coalition relations. Newcastle’s Commanding Officer, CMDR Dominic MacNamara, along with eight members of ship’s company visited Surcouf while Newcastle hosted Surcouf’s Executive Officer and eight French officers and sailors.
Naval Forces involved in Maritime Security Operations meet at sea to deepen cooperation
On Thursday 29 June, flag ships from Combined Task Force (CTF)150 and Operation Atalanta, both involved in Maritime Security Operations inside the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, met at sea for on-going interactions.
