Reserve Admiral Makes History, Takes Command of CMF Task Force

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer | U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Sanders delivers remarks during the commander, Task Force 151 changeof command ceremony held aboard USS Anzio. Sanders relieved Turkish Navy Rear Adm. Caner Bener as Commander, CTF 151. Bener commanded thecounter-piracy task force May 3 to Aug. 13, which was also the first time Turkey has commanded a Combined Maritime Forces task force. Established in January 2009, CTF 151 is a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the CMF area of responsibility 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.  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

08.20.2009

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer 

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

MANAMA, Bahrain - The Combined Task Force 151 change of command ceremony held Aug. 3 aboard the CTF 151 flagship USS Anzio marked he end of one historic chapter and the tart of another when U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Sanders relieved Turkish Navy Rear Adm. Caner Bener.

The ceremony concluded the first successful command of the counter-piracy task force by the Turkish Navy and marked the first time a U.S. Navy Reservist has commanded a Combined Maritime Forces task force.

"Establishing and maintaining cooperative security in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin is the true key to success against piracy," said Sanders. "This is a great opportunity not just for myself and the CTF 151 staff but for the U.S. Navy, Royal Navy, and our international naval partners. We look forward to continuing the exemplary achievements of Rear Adm. Bener and his team."

A 1980 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Sanders served on active duty as a Naval Aviator before his transition to the Navy Reserve in 1987. Sanders has served on the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command staff as the Vice Commander since April 2007.

Established in January 2009, CTF 151 is a multi-national task force that conducts counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea and was established to deter piracy, create a lawful maritime order, and develop security in the maritime environment.

Since then, CTF 151 and other cooperating naval forces have encountered 527 pirates; 282 of which were disarmed and released, 235 disarmed and turned over for prosecution, and 10 were killed. The pirates' ability to carry out attacks has been further impacted by the seizure or destruction of 40 pirate vessels, and the confiscation of the their tools of the trade, including: 205 small arms, 43 Rocket Propelled Grenades, 91 RPG projectiles, 16 GPS devices and 36 phones.

"It's our duty as professional Sailors to keep the global waterways safe for trade," said Sanders. "But in the end, our mission is not just about commerce. We protect innocent people and mariners as they traverse the high seas. Securing the oceans can only be achieved through a coalition of concerned nations, the maritime industry, and Navies and Coast Guards working together."

In his civilian life, Sanders is Vice President for Wyle Laboratories. His business unit supports the Joint Strike Fighter, E-2/C-2, F/A-18 and special program support for special programs. Sanders directs and manages support for nearly 500 Wyle employees across all facets of acquisition, engineering, flight test, and financial support to sites in Florida, Maryland, and Virginia.

The mission of the U.S. Navy Reserve is to provide mission-capable units and individuals to the Navy, Marine Corps Team throughout the full range of operations from peace to war. In today's environment this mandate takes on added meaning and responsibilities as the Navy Reserve is called on to play an increasingly active role in the day-to-day planning and operational requirements of the active Navy.

• Date Taken: 08.20.2009
• Date Posted: 08.20.2009 10:26
• Story ID: 37745
• Location: MANAMA, BH