Naval Leaders Meet to Coordinate Counter-Piracy Efforts

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

05.26.2009

Courtesy Story

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

MANAMA, Bahrain - The Combined Maritime Forces hosted naval leaders from 22 nations and international organizations today for a series of meetings, held in Manama, Bahrain.

The Shared Awareness and Deconfliction meetings provide a working-level opportunity for navies to come together to share information and deconflict counter-piracy efforts off the coast of Somalia.

"These efforts streamline and maximize the effectiveness of naval forces to conduct counter-piracy operations in the region," said Commodore Tim Lowe, deputy commander, CMF. "By synchronizing and deconflicting our efforts, Combined Task Force 151, EU, NATO and other international forces are making a difference."

Representatives from nations including Australia, Bahrain, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, UK, U.S., Yemen, the European Naval Force and NATO took part in today's SHADE meeting.

Following the establishment of CTF 151, the CMF staff determined that it would be helpful to implement working-level meetings ashore to discuss counter-piracy coordination and deconfliction.

Today's conference marked the fourth time CMF facilitated the meetings.

Originally commanded by the U.S. Navy, CTF 151 is now commanded by the Turkish Navy. The command staff is comprised of personnel from Turkey, the U.S., U.K., Pakistan and Greece. The command staff manages daily operations from USS Gettysburg operating in the Gulf of Aden.

CTF 151 is a multi-national task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the CMF area of operations to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations.

CTF 151 operates in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia and is commanded by Turkish Rear Adm. Caner Bener.

• Date Taken: 05.26.2009
• Date Posted: 05.26.2009 11:49
• Story ID: 34112
• Location: MANAMA, BH