Operation King Crab عملية “كِينْك كراب” – (يعني “سلطعون الملك”)

Operation ‘King Crab’ led by CTF 151 has successfully ended using assets from 9 nations. It involved a concentrated effort over four days, with increased counter-piracy patrols, air reconnaissance and visits to merchant vessels and local dhows. Information sharing and boarding exercises also took place. Rear Admiral Yu said: “Ultimately we all have the same goal of promoting security and stability in the region to legitimate seafarers by defeating piracy. Operations such as ‘King Crab’, greatly increase our ability to do this.”

Source: combinedmaritimeforces.com

CTF151 Boat Crews approaching friendly Somali fishermen

EU NAVFOR Somalia MPRAs Fly In Support of CTF-151 Focused Operation

This week, EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA’s German Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft supported a multi-national counter-piracy operation led by Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) in the Gulf of Aden.

The assets involved in Focused Operation “King Crab” were from nine different nations, and included the Republic of Korea Ship (ROKS) Kang Gam Chan; the Japanese Ship (JS) Sazanami and the Royal Navy of Oman Vessel (RNOV) Al-Dhafreh in support.

The operation was a concentrated effort that spanned over four days and saw the counter-piracy task force and its partners undertake increased counter-piracy patrols and maritime engagement visits to merchant vessels and local dhows. The participating assets also partook in joint training and boarding exercises.

The exercises also reinforced the importance of information-sharing amongst the wide combination of counter-piracy partners.

“Ultimately we all have the same goal of promoting security and stability in the region to legitimate seafarers by defeating piracy and criminal attacks,” said Commander CTF 151, Rear Admiral Byeong-Ju Yu, ROKN. “Focused Operations such as King Crab greatly increase our ability to do this.”

Operation ATALANTA’s MPRAs have now returned to regular operations, patrolling the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and Arabian Sea alongside other EU NAVFOR naval Assets.

Source: eunavfor.eu

Counter-Piracy Task Forces work together to deter piracy at sea

Warships from three nations have taken part in a counter-piracy surge operation, led by Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 in the Gulf of Aden. The operation was part of the Republic of Korea-led CTF 151’s mission to deter piracy and to contribute to wider maritime security in the region by focusing shared resources and assets over a prolonged period.

Collaboration between CTF 151, EUNAVFOR’s counter-piracy Task Force and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force ensured maximum response and support to the operation. A Japanese Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft also took part.

The ships ROKS Daejoyeong, ESPS Navarra and JS Asagiri worked together in conducting Maritime Awareness Calls to engage with local mariners and increase their understanding of the Combined Maritime Forces and CTF 151 role.

Captain Andrew Rose, Royal Navy, Deputy Commander of CTF151, said: “Operations such as this help to build partnerships and interoperability among the various stakeholders involved in counter-piracy. It also helps to build friendships and understanding amongst mariners to increase maritime security and suppress piracy.”

The long term aims of counter-piracy stakeholders are to deter and disrupt piracy by working together; to enhance information sharing and to engage with regional partners, the merchant shipping community and local mariners.

Source: combinedmaritimeforces.com

CMF Commander hosts Semi-Annual Maritime Security Conference in Bahrain

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Bryan Blair

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet

MANAMA, Bahrain – More than 150 multi-national military leaders representing 33 partner nations were onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain to attend the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) annual Maritime Security Conference, March 7.

Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces hosted the partner-nation representatives to discuss the importance of teamwork and alliances in combatting and deterring potential threats in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

“Collaboration is key to accomplishing our shared goals of maritime security and stability in the region,” said Malloy. “A forum such as this conference allows Navy leaders from across the region and the globe to gather and share perspectives – identify common threats and shared opportunities, and then coordinate activities which will optimize our collective strength and maximize our effectiveness as we operate at sea in the Middle East.”

The objective of this year’s conference was for multi-national leaders to actively communicate about challenges, solutions and ultimately, the way forward in maritime strategy. The members were dispersed into working groups, which assisted in streamlining the discussion topics.

“Collectively we operate in one of the most challenging and complex maritime environments in the world. Ships that operate here face threats in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean,” said Malloy at the beginning of the conference. “The CMF is the vehicle we use to promote legitimate commerce, deter conflict and maintain regional stability.”

Royal Navy Commodore Steve Dainton, deputy commander of the CMF, was also in attendance and echoed the sentiments conveyed by Malloy.

“As a community, we all need to be in this together and building a network of like-minded people will be essential to future success,” said Dainton. “Your individual contributions undoubtedly provide legitimacy to the organization.”

CMF is comprised of three Combined Task Forces (CTFs), CTF 150, which is responsible for maritime security and counter terrorism operations, CTF 151, responsible for counter piracy operations and CTF 152, responsible for maritime security and counter terrorism with the Gulf and building cooperation between Gulf Cooperation Council nations.

CMF is a unique multi-national collective of 33 like-minded nations, dedicated to promoting security and free flow of commerce across 3.2 million square miles of international waters in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf. CMF’s main focus areas are disrupting terrorism, preventing piracy, reducing illegal activities, and promoting a safe maritime environment for all.

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

Source: dvidshub.net