CTF 150 visits HMCS TORONTO in Bahrain
Commodore Asif Khaliq, Pakistan Navy, who is currently the Commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, recently visited the Royal Canadian Navy warship, HMCS TORONTO, whilst she was alongside in Bahrain to learn first-hand about her capabilities. TORONTO, a Halifax-class frigate, is one of the most advanced general purpose platforms in the world and has been actively participating in CTF 150 since Spring 2013, successfully conducting six seizures of illegal drug shipments during the past year. She has been assigned to CMF by the Canadian Government in order to help counter terrorism. In addition the ship and her crew are tasked with encouraging greater regional cooperation, thus setting the conditions for a safe maritime trading environment for all. Speaking of the visit to HMCS TORONTO, Commodore Khaliq said “Our visit gave the team hands on insight into TORONTO’s impressive capabilities.” It is also gave Commodore Khaliq an ideal opportunity to…
Bahraini Naval Vessels take part in CMF Search and Rescue exercise
Units from the Bahrain Navy and Bahrain Coast Guard have recently completed a major Search and Rescue exercise off the coast of Manama, working as part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). <!–more–> The patrol vessel RBNS Al Jaberi and the corvette RBNS Manama joined RBCGS DAR-14 for Exercise Falcon Response, designed to develop the Bahraini maritime forces’ ability to rescue distressed mariners at sea. Working with warships from the United States Navy and cutters from the United States Coast Guard, the three Bahraini vessels practiced searching wide areas of open ocean for a simulated ‘casualty’. The exercise called for close cooperation between the ships and an operations base ashore in Bahrain. Commander Rashed Al Ameen, Commanding Officer of RBNS Al Jaberi, said: “I think the integration between all the participants was outstanding. “As navies, we only get to see each other at sea. This integration isn’t something we can…
Ready Together – Exercise Goalkeeper 11- 01
After planning had taken place for many months, ships from Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the US conducted Exercise Goalkeeper 11-01 in the Central and Southern Arabian Gulf to train across the spectrum of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). Led by Colonel Isa Al Doseri, commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 152, the Arabian Gulf maritime security and cooperation mission of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the seven day exercise focused on coordinating coalition MSO at sea, as well as improving the dissemination of information among regional command centers and building relationships between contributing nations. Goalkeeper 11-01 provided participants with a focused opportunity to exercise their abilities to locate and track various vessels, practice boarding techniques and share tactics, procedures and best practices among regional experts. Goalkeeper was designed to validate the core Command and Control capabilities of the CTF 152 MSO mission and refine the processes that ensure rapid information flow…
Turkey Assumes Command of CTF-151
Rear Admiral Sinan Ertugrul of the turkish Navy assumes command of CTF-151.