COMMANDER CTF 151 BOOSTS MARITIME COOPERATION
Commander Combined Task Force 151 (CCTF 151) Commodore Zahid Ilyas SI(M) S.Bt recently visited Sri Lanka to boost cooperation, coordination and information exchanges with the Sri Lankan Navy, in order to lay the foundations for Sri Lanka becoming a member of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
Royal Navy Warship rescues sailors from sinking vessel.
HMS St Albans was recently called upon to assist a stricken Dhow whilst conducting maritime security operations in the Gulf of Oman.
HMS St Albans has been working in the Gulf with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), and was on a routine patrol for the UK when she was contacted by an Omani Air Force surveillance aircraft. The aircraft reported seeing a dhow drifting at the sea with its engine hatch open. Suspecting that the dhow might have engine trouble, St Albans made best speed to her location in order to offer assistance.
ROYAL NAVY SUPPORTS THE MULTI-NATIONAL NAVAL COMMUNITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The Royal Navy provides a permanent and significant contribution to the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), a multi-national naval partnership consisting of 31 nations and 215 personnel.
CMF, which was initially formed as part of the Global Counter Terrorism Force, is based in Bahrain and is commanded by Vice Admiral Donegan, who is also Commander US Naval Forces Central Command and Commander US Fifth Fleet. It originated in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks of 2001, and more specifically as the maritime flank of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terror.
CTF151 TO THE RESCUE
Combined Task Force 151 (CTF151) recently came to the rescue of a stricken yacht during a storm in the southern Red Sea.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) informed CTF151 that a British flagged sailing yacht was in distress during bad weather in the area. The vessel, Milashka, which had 6 Russian crew members on board, had sustained damage to its sail and was low on fuel.
COMMANDER’S CONFERENCE
The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Commander’s Conference took place in Bahrain on 2 Feb 16. The bi-annual conference brings together senior military representatives from CMF members, to update them on CMF’s achievements, assess operational effectiveness and discuss, in an open forum, ways of improving and developing CMF capabilities.
In his opening remarks, the Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Admiral Donegan USN, highlighted the unique nature of CMF as a coalition and the complexities of the operating area.  He stressed the importance of maintaining the free flow of commerce, enabled by maintaining freedom of navigation through the strategically important choke points of the Bab el Mandeb Strait, the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal.
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.
Turkish led operation working alongside the EU and NATO
Turkish led Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 has been working in association with NATO Task Force CTF 465 and the European Union Naval Force’s Task Force CTF 508 in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin and Arabian Sea conducting Approach and Assist Visits (AAV) to local dhows, small cargo or fishing vessels.
Turkish and Republic of Korea Navy Ships meet in Salalah
During a brief stopover in Salalah, Oman, the Commander Combined Task Force (CCTF) 151, Rear Admiral Ayhan Bay, onboard his Turkish flagship TCG Gemlik, visited the Republic of Korea Navy warship ROKS Chungmugong Yisunshin, which is working in associated support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151.
CTF 151 Celebrates Victory and Turkish Armed Forces Day Onboard Flagship TCG Gemlik
Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 celebrated Victory and Turkish Armed Forces Day on board the Turkish Navy Flagship TCG Gemlik (F-492) on 30 August. The ceremony was held in the Arabian Sea almost 3000 nautical miles away from home.
TCG Gemlik holds CTF 151 reception
A reception was held on board the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 Turkish Navy Flagship TCG Gemlik (F-492) after the CTF 151 Change of Command Ceremony when Turkey took over command from Japan.
