Pakistan Passes Command of CTF 150 to the United Kingdom After Short Ceremony in Bahrain
August 08: On 8th August, a UK led joint staff of Royal Navy and French Marine Nationale assumed command of the maritime security organisation Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 from the Pakistan Navy.
Through maritime security operations, regional engagements and capacity building activities, CTF 150 works to deter and deny terrorist organisations any benefits from employing the high seas for smuggling illegal narcotics, which represents a common threat to the security and prosperity of the region. Member countries that contributed to CTF 150 success during the Pakistan-led rotation included Australia, Canada, France, Pakistan, the UK and the US, who all worked together in direct support in pursuit of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) goals.
CMF is a multinational naval partnership which works with regional partners to ensure maritime security and stability. This partnership consists of three task forces which deal with a range of threats from non-state actors such as piracy and the smuggling of illicit materials.
During the ceremony at the CMF headquarters in Bahrain, command of CTF 150 was passed from Commodore Alveer Ahmed Noor of the Pakistan Navy to Commodore Edward Ahlgren, OBE, Royal Navy. The event was presided over by Commander CMF Vice Admiral Jim Malloy of the United States Navy.
In his speech, Commodore Noor said: “Pakistan’s commitment to the UN resolutions is well established. The eleventh Command of CTF 150 by Pakistan Navy certainly demonstrates our continued commitments in support of CMF efforts for ensuring maritime security in the region. During our Command tenure, CTF 150 effectively contributed to CMF mission by seizing 25 175kg of narcotics leading to denial of approximately USD $19.5M to terrorist organisations. Furthermore, CTF 150 units remained vigilant and poised to respond to any emergency call for assistance to the maritime community.”
Over the last 4 months, units under CTF 150’s command have carried out 15 successful boarding operations despite the unfavorable weather during the month of May, June and July. CTF 150 has been committed to building maritime counter-terrorism capability in regional navies and to promoting regional security and stability.
Source: Combined Maritime Forces
