AUSTRALIAN LED COMBINED TASK FORCE DISRUPTS NARCOTICS SHIPMENT
Combined Task Force 150 (CTF), one of three Task Forces within Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) conducted a successful disruption of a vessel carrying illicit cargo in the north Arabian Sea, Feb. 3, 2012.
ASHES DEBUT FOR HMS ARGYLL
On Boxing Day, HMS Argyll, the most hi-tech Type 23 ‘Duke’ class frigate deployed on front-line Royal Navy service, met up in the Indian Ocean with her Australian counterpart HMAS Parramatta. Both ships are assigned to the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), which is charged with delivering maritime security and counter-terrorism from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Oman under Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
Australian Frigate HMAS Melbourne Joins CMF
MANAMA, Bahrain – The Australian frigate HMAS Melbourne arrived this week to participate in counter-piracy and maritime security operations with the 25-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). The Adelaide class guided missile frigate left her home port of Sydney, Australia, in mid-August and will relieve Anzac class frigate HMAS Parramatta, which has been in the region since March. CMF units are committed to working together in order to promote security and prosperity across some 2.5 million square miles of international waters in the Middle East, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes. Its main focus areas are defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, reducing illegal activities, and promoting a safe maritime environment. HMAS Melbourne has a ship’s company of 238 men and women. Additionally, 13 Australian service personnel are assigned to CMF Headquarters, Manama, Bahrain, fulfilling a diverse range of staff roles ranging from watchkeepers to legal advisors. Captain John…