CTF 150 works with Yemini Navy

CTF 150 has worked with Yemini naval and coast guard forces in a focused operation to deter maritime crime in the southern Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden.

CTF 150 works with Yemini Navy and Coast Guard in Bab El Mandeb focused operation

Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 has worked with Yemini naval and coast guard forces in a focused operation to deter maritime crime in the southern Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden.

The operation, named Quwwat-e-Bahr, meaning “Force of the Sea”, was the latest maritime security operation conducted by CTF 150 to demonstrate its presence, deter illicit activities, reassure the maritime community and ensure a stable and secure environment for legitimate commercial and fishing traders in the region.

Warships and aircraft from the Australian, Canadian, French and Pakistan Navies and patrol boats from the Yemeni Coast Guard and Navy, took part in the sea patrols which collected data on a variety of maritime traffic and built positive relations with local fishermen. The UK provided a support ship to maintain the warships with logistic supplies throughout the operation.

To promote greater cooperation and knowledge sharing, officers from the Yemeni Navy and Coast Guard were hosted onboard the CTF 150 warships. Their local knowledge and language skills were essential for establishing communications with the maritime community and for helping to identify local traffic and fishing areas.

Commodore Asif Khaliq, Pakistan Navy, Commander CTF 150, who was in charge of the operation said: “This demonstrated and reinforced the interoperability between the different navies under the CTF 150 banner. We and regional partners are working in ever-closer ways to counter the terrorism threat, and this operation was a fine example of that.

“The operation provided ample opportunity for learning and teaching opportunities and the successful outcome showed the remarkable commitment of all to the common cause of bringing security and stability to the region.”

CTF 150 is one of three task forces operating under Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) command. It aims to promote a secure and stable maritime environment from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman.

CMF is a multinational naval partnership of 29 nations, which exists to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 2.5 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Source: Combined Maritime Forces.