CTF150 – HMAS Melbourne makes fifth drug seizure
The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) made another seizure of heroin as part of their latest string of successes in combatting illegal narcotics.
Under the direction of the Australian-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF150), the crew of Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Melbourne recently completed a fifth successful drug seizure by seizing about 65kg of heroin from a dhow in the Indian Ocean.
Two ‘Powers’ Meet in the Indian Ocean
Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Power Royal Navy met his namesake Lieutenant Benjamin Power Royal Australian Navy whilst both were serving in the Indian Ocean.
The meeting of the two Powers took place whilst both were operating under direct support to Combined Task Force 150. Lieutenant Commander Ben Power Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) from HMS St Albans met up with Lieutenant Ben Power, also a PWO from Her Majesty’s Australian Ship Melbourne. The unlikely coincidence took place when the two ships took the opportunity to exchange members of each other’s crews for a few hours to see how the ships differ.
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.
NCIS working together with multi-national forces
Special Agent Patrick Price brought a special brand of law enforcement to Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Melbourne while on patrol in the Arabian Sea.
Combined Maritime Forces Intercept Drug Haul
Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Melbourne, working for the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in the Middle East successfully intercepted a small cargo vessel, known as a dhow, smuggling 427 kilograms of heroin in the Indian Ocean, on 1 October 2015. The drugs, which have now been destroyed, had an estimated street value of $174 (US) million, a value based on an average purity of 60%, which is the approximate historic average seized in 2014.
Commander CTF 150 visits HMAS Melbourne
Commander Combined Task Force 150 (CCTF150) Rear Admiral Muhammad Moazzam Ilyas visited Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Melbourne whilst the ship was alongside in Bahrain prior to her sailing to the North Arabian Sea in support of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150).
HMAS Melbourne Aids Merchant Mariner
Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Melbourne, working for Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, came to the aid of a critically ill merchant seaman in the southern Arabian Sea.
HMAS Melbourne Commander ‘Takes The Weight’
Commander Bill Waters, Commanding Officer Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Melbourne, is seen ‘Taking the Weight’ as Melbourne assumes responsibilities from HMAS Newcastle (rear of photo) for operations in the Middle East Region as part of the Combined Maritime Forces. ‘Taking the Weight’ is a Navy tradition that symbolises the transfer of the prestige, privilege and burden of command. In this case the weight has taken the form of a rhinoceros.
HMAS Melbourne arrives for encore performance
Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Melbourne has arrived in the Middle East and commenced her first patrol as part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), which conducts maritime security patrols across the region.
Australian Frigate Melbourne Joins CMF Counter Piracy Mission
Royal Australian Navy warship HMAS Melbourne joined Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), the counter-piracy mission operated by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Nov 16. HMAS Melbourne arrived in the Middle East region in September and has thus far been assigned to CTF-150, another CMF task force primarily concerned with counter-terrorism and region-wide maritime security. Melbourne will now spend the next few weeks with CTF-151, concentrating her efforts on deterring and disrupting piracy and armed robbery in the Somali Basin, Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden. In doing so, she will join her Turkish Navy sister ship TCG Gaziantep. The designs of both Gaziantep and Melbourne are based on the U.S. Oliver Hazard Perry class of warship. Turkish Navy Rear Adm. Sinan Ertugrul currently commands CTF-151 and is responsible for coordinating CMF counter-piracy operations with those of NATO and the EU Naval Force. “I am delighted that HMAS Melbourne has joined…