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.
Yemeni Coast Guard, Royal Saudi and US Navy join in Pakistan led Maritime Anti-Terrorism Focused Operation
Naval ships from Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United States have taken part in an exercise under the Command of Commodore Sajid Mahmood SI(M) of the Pakistan Navy.
International Counter-Piracy Efforts Boosted by CTF-151 Focused Operation
A Turkish Ship, working in direct support of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-piracy task force CTF-151, has undertaken the first focused operation Whātoro (New Zealand Māori for Outreach) with Yemeni forces in the Bab-al-Mandeb straight.
Commander of CTF-151 visits Japanese and Turkish Ships
The Commander of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) visited Japanese and Turkish ships providing direct support to CTF-151 in Oman recently.