Japan enhances CMF

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force further enhances the Combined Maritime Forces Counter Piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden with the provision of maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force enhances CMF Counter-Piracy operations with provision of Maritime Patrol aircraft

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) further enhances the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Counter Piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden with the provision of maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).

Whilst the JMSDF has been conducting Counter Piracy operations in the region since March 2009, the first Japanese Ship to formally integrate into CMF, JS Samidare, joined CMF’s Counter Piracy Task Force (CTF) 151 in early December 2013. This recent provision of maritime patrol aircraft, further enhances Japan’s commitment to CMF’s mission.

Captain Hiromi Asanuma, Commanding Officer, Deployment Air-force for Counter-Piracy Enforcement, Japan Self-Defence Force, said: “We have been patrolling the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden since June 2009. We can conduct more efficient counter-piracy operation by participating in CTF151. We are going to do our best for protecting global maritime commerce and secure freedom of navigation with the international naval forces.”

Commodore Aage Buur Jensen, Royal Danish Navy, Commander CTF 151 said: “The fight against piracy is an international obligation to which Japan has contributed as an Independent Deployer for many years. By joining the CMF Counter Piracy effort through CTF151 the coordination of our joint effort will become more focused and efficient. Having seen the professionalism of the Japanese contribution over the years, I look forward to be working closely with them in the future.”

CTF 151 is one of three task forces operated by CMF, a 30 nation naval partnership 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 in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf and Indian Ocean.

CTF 151’s mission is to disrupt piracy and armed robbery at sea and to engage with regional and other partners to build capacity and improve relevant capabilities in order to protect global maritime commerce and secure freedom of navigation.

Source: Combined Maritime Forces.