Combined Task Force 151 Explained

Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) is a multinational naval task force, set up in 2009 as a response to piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia.[1] Its 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. It operates in conjunction with the EU's Operation Atalanta and NATO's Operation Ocean Shield.

As of September 10, 2024, the commander of CTF-151 is Rear Admiral Rüştü Sezer of the Turkish Navy.[2]

History

The CTF 151 was established on 12 January 2009 as a response to piracy attacks in Somalia, "with a specific piracy mission-based mandate under the authority of UNSCRs 1816, 1838, 1846, 1851 and 1897".[3] The CTF 150 mainly dealt with maritime security and counter terrorism. Piracy was considered more of a law enforcement mission.[3] CTF were established as a mission-based Task Force. Upon their establishment in 2009, operated under a UNSCR counter-piracy mandate. The CTF is not geographically constrained.[4] Their mandate has been "based upon the range of counter-piracy UNSCRs".[4] In February 2011, a group of pirates hijacked a Panamanian-flagged ship. The Puntland government stated that they did not want captured ships and pirate bases near Bosaso.[5] The pirates forced the ship's crew to the south, to a coastal area that was not as receptive.[6] Admiral Mcknight had a conversation with Jatin Dua and the Navy SEALS rescued two hostages who were being held in an inland camp. The SEALS killed about nine pirates.[7]

In January 2012, six Somali pirates launched an attack on the bulk cargo ship the MV Sunshine about one hundred miles off the coast of Oman. This was referred to as a by-the-book approach; The pirates used AK-47s, a rocket propelled grenade launcher, a grappling hook and attempted to affix a ladder onto the boat.[8] The pirates threw their weapons overboard so the boarding team could not arrest them. They gave the pirates food and water, finally turning them loose. The Somalis did not realize that a helicopter from the USS Mobile Bay was keeping track of their movements. The pirates headed back to the Iranian dhow.[8] The USS Kidd was able to track the Al Mulahi and noticed some Middle Easterners were aboard. The New York Times reported a standoff, afterwards the Somalis were still hidden and the Iranian captain spoke with the Americans.[9]

Formation

Between 2002 and 2004, a first naval coalition in charge of fighting terrorism in the area was dubbed Task Force 151.

On 8 January 2009, at the United States Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, Vice Admiral William E. Gortney, USN, announced the formation of CTF-151 to combat the piracy threat off Somalia, with Rear Admiral Terence E. McKnight in command.[10] The was designated as the first flagship of Combined Task Force 151, serving as an afloat forward staging base (AFSB) for the following force elements:

Initially, CTF-151 consisted of the San Antonio,, and, with additional warships expected to join this force.[15] Twenty countries were expected to contribute to the force, including Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand and the United Kingdom, all of which have already pledged participation.[16]

On 5 April 2009, United States Rear Admiral Michelle J. Howard, assumed command of CTF-151 and Expeditionary Strike Group 2.[17] On 29 May, the Australian Government pledged its support, re-tasking the frigate from duties in the Persian Gulf to the task force, as well as Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.[18]

Task measures

The measures carried out by the task force include: Upholding an active 24-hour lookout, the removal of access ladders, reporting apprehensive actions to proper authorities, the use of deck lighting, razor wire, netting, fire hoses, electrical fencing, and surveillance and detection equipment, defending the lowest points of access, engaging in evasive maneuvering and speed through pirate attacks, and joining group transits.[19]

The CMF established the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) in the Gulf of Aden in August 2008 to provision international efforts to battle piracy. The coalition efforts involved CTF-150 assets patrolling the area with aircraft and ships. However, the charter for CTF-150, which was established at the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, was for the conduct of Maritime Security Operations in the Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Such operations included the deterrence of threatening activities, such as weapons trafficking and drug smuggling.[1]

Rescue of Captain Richard Phillips

In 2009, there was a pirate attack on the Maersk Alabama. The rescue personnel included SEAL Team Six.[20] On 7 April 2009 there was an advisory issued by the U.S. Maritime Administration stating that ships stay six hundred miles off the coast of Somalia due to an increase of piracy. The Somali pirates mainly targeted the Gulf of Aden because most vessels traveling towards the Suez Canal were there. However, with CTF 151, the Chinese, Russians, and Operation Atalanta all concentrated in that area, pirates were compelled to look elsewhere.[21] On 1 April 2009 the Maersk Alabama headed toward the Gulf of Aden. Captain Phillips was unaware of the pirates on the way .[22] Captain Phillips and his crew were eventually surrounded by three pirate skiffs with their mother ship in pursuit, eight miles behind.[23] Phillips eventually hit the silent alarm button that signaled a search and rescue team to come.[24] At one point it was reported that there was a standoff between the ship's crew and the pirates.[25] They eventually called for a prisoner exchange and Phillips was among the first to be released onto a lifeboat.[26]

Success

Vice Admiral Bill Gortney stated that because of proactive measures taken by certain merchant mariners, the piracy events in the region have been reduced. He also cautioned that the "efforts of coalition and international navies won't solve the problem of piracy."[1]

List of Commanders

Command history

The Task Force has been headed by different countries participating.[70]

Term of command
DateCountry
11 January 2009US
5 April 2009US
3 May 2009Turkey
13 August 2009US
20 January 2010Singapore
21 April 2010Republic of Korea
1 September 2010Turkey
29 November 2010Pakistan
31 March 2011Singapore
1 July 2011New Zealand
27 September 2011Pakistan
13 January 2012Denmark
29 March 2012Thailand
18 June 2012Republic of Korea
19 September 2012Turkey
13 December 2012Pakistan
7 March 2013Singapore
6 June 2013Pakistan
5 September 2013UK
12 December 2013Denmark
27 February 2014Pakistan
12 June 2014Republic of Korea
28 August 2014New Zealand
25 November 2014Thailand
26 February 2015Pakistan
31 May 2015Japan
27 August 2015Turkey
21 December 2015Pakistan
31 March 2016Singapore
30 June 2016Republic of Korea
27 October 2016Pakistan
9 March 2017Japan
29 June 2017Turkey
2 November 2017Bahrain
1 March 2018Japan
28 June 2018Singapore
27 September 2018Kuwait
21 February 2019Kuwait
20 June 2019Republic of Korea
20 October 2019Kuwait
20 February 2020Japan
21 July 2020Turkey
18 December 2020Pakistan
10 June 2021Brazil
18 November 2021Jordan
14 April 2022Pakistan
18 August 2022Brazil
17 February 2023Republic of Korea
21 August 2023Philippines
23 January 2024Brazil
24 July 2024Turkey
Command history
CountryNo. of times
Pakistan10
Turkey7
Republic of Korea6
Singapore5
Japan4
Brazil3
Kuwait3
US3
Denmark2
New Zealand2
Thailand2
Bahrain1
Jordan1
UK1
Philippines1

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Counter-Piracy Task Force Established. 22 January 2014.
  2. Web site: Türkiye Assumes Command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 151 from Brazil . 2024-09-09 . United States Navy . en-US.
  3. Web site: CTF-151: Counter-piracy . 17 September 2010 . Combined Maritime Forces . 4 December 2013.
  4. Book: Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Operations Counter Piracy Operations, Challenges, Shortfalls and Lessons Learned. 2009. NATO. 3.
  5. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 37. Michael Hirsh.
  6. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 37–38. Michael Hirsh.
  7. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 39. Michael Hirsh.
  8. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 88. Michael Hirsh.
  9. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 88–89. Michael Hirsh.
  10. News: New Counter-Piracy Task Force Established . Navy NewsStand . GlobalSecurity.org . 2009-01-08 . 2009-04-13.
  11. News: Navy, CG Training to Combat Piracy . 2009-01-26 . Hilley . MC1 Monique K. . 2009-01-20 . Navy News . Military Advantage.
  12. News: San Antonio Key to Counterpiracy Mission . 2009-01-26 . Goodwin . Brian . 2009-01-19 . Defence Professional . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090131014156/http://defpro.com/news/details/4953 . 2009-01-31 .
  13. Web site: Skids Fly to San Antonio . 2009-01-26 . Mills . Cpl Jason D. . 2009-01-09 . Marine Corps News . Military Advantage.
  14. News: San Navy helicopter squadron helps fight pirates . 2009-01-28 . Gibbons . Timothy J. . 2009-01-28 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20090131075633/http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-01-27/story/navy_helo_squadron_helps_fight_pirates . 2009-01-31 . dead .
  15. News: Pirate Attacks Cut Dramatically by Navies, U.S. Admiral Says . 2009-01-28 . Viscusi . Gregory . 2009-01-27 . Bloomberg News .
  16. News: US to lead new anti-pirate force . . 2009-01-08 . 2010-04-30.
  17. Lt. John Fage . Admiral Howard Takes Command of ESG-2 and CTF 151 (Release #057-09) . U.S. Fifth Fleet . April 5, 2009 . 2009-04-16 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090411060001/http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2009/057.html . April 11, 2009 .
  18. News: Navy warship and RAAF spy planes join fight against Somali pirates . . Sydney . Ian . McPhedran . Ian McPhedran . 2009-05-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090913174937/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C27574%2C25554700-421%2C00.html . 13 September 2009 . dead .
  19. Web site: Combined Maritime Forces. 17 September 2010. Combined Maritime Forces.
  20. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 118–119. Michael Hirsh.
  21. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 122–123. Michael Hirsh.
  22. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 123. Michael Hirsh.
  23. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 126. Michael Hirsh.
  24. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 130. Michael Hirsh.
  25. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 135. Michael Hirsh.
  26. Book: Mcknight, Terry. Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 Off Somalia. 2012. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. 136. Michael Hirsh.
  27. Web site: Rear Admiral (Retired) Roger Girouard. 11 October 2017.
  28. Web site: Turkey Assumes Command of CTF-151. September 1, 2010. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. July 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140720165018/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2010/09/01/turkey-assumes-command-of-ctf-151/. dead.
  29. Web site: PRESS RELEASE Report. www.nas.gov.sg. 2020-04-11. 2020-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20200411191408/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20090417001.htm. dead.
  30. Web site: Pakistan Assumes Command of Combined Task Force 151. November 29, 2010. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. July 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140720154832/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2010/11/29/pakistan-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-151/. dead.
  31. Web site: Republic of Singapore assumes Command of Combined Task Force 151. April 1, 2011. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. July 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140720200530/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2011/04/01/republic-of-singapore-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-151/. dead.
  32. Web site: NZDF - New Zealander to command US-led counter piracy task force . www.nzdf.mil.nz . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200210133124/http://nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/2011/20110602-nztcucptf.htm . 2020-02-10.
  33. Web site: Royal New Zealand Navy assumes Command of Combined Task Force 151. July 1, 2011. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. November 12, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111112150429/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2011/07/01/royal-new-zealand-navy-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-151/. dead.
  34. Web site: PAKISTAN ASSUMES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151. September 28, 2011. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. October 13, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111013062804/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2011/09/28/pakistan-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-151-2/. dead.
  35. Web site: DENMARK ASSUMES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151 BAHRAIN. January 12, 2012. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. March 10, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120310154427/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/01/12/denmark-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-151-bahrain/. dead.
  36. Web site: ROYAL THAI NAVY ASSUMES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151. March 29, 2012. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. July 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140720100903/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/03/29/royal-thai-navy-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-151/. dead.
  37. Web site: REPUBLIC OF KOREA NAVY ASSUMES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151. June 19, 2012. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. July 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140720085609/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/06/19/republic-of-korea-navy-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-151/. dead.
  38. Web site: TURKEY ASSUMES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151. September 25, 2012. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. September 14, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150914170918/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/09/25/turkey-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-151/. dead.
  39. Web site: PAKISTAN NAVY ASSUMES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151. December 13, 2012. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. December 16, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121216061305/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/12/13/pakistan-navy-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-151/. dead.
  40. Web site: REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE NAVY TAKES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151. March 7, 2013. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. March 26, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130326110019/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2013/03/07/republic-of-singapore-navy-takes-command-of-combined-task-force-151/. dead.
  41. Web site: Singapore hands over CTF 151 to Pakistan. June 13, 2013. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. July 25, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140725160114/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2013/06/13/singapore-hands-over-ctf-151-to-pakistan/. dead.
  42. Web site: Combined Task Force 151 Change of Command Ceremony. September 12, 2013. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. October 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131008153011/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2013/09/12/combined-task-force-151-change-of-command-ceremony/. dead.
  43. Web site: UK handover to Denmark at CTF 151 Change of Command Ceremony. December 12, 2013. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. December 12, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131212170618/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2013/12/12/uk-handover-to-denmark-at-ctf-151-change-of-command-ceremony/. dead.
  44. Web site: Denmark handover to Pakistan at CTF 151 change of command ceremony. March 2, 2014. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. March 2, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140302125657/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2014/03/02/denmark-handover-to-pakistan-at-ctf-151-change-of-command-ceremony/. dead.
  45. Web site: Pakistan passes command of CTF-151 to the Republic of Korea. June 18, 2014. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. July 1, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140701210346/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2014/06/18/pakistan-passes-command-of-ctf-151-to-the-republic-of-korea/. dead.
  46. Web site: South Korea passes command of CTF-151 to New Zealand. September 2, 2014. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. October 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141014071120/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2014/09/02/south-korea-passes-command-of-ctf-151-to-new-zealand/. dead.
  47. Web site: New Zealand passes command of CTF-151 to Thailand. November 25, 2014. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). April 11, 2020. December 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141207020132/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2014/11/25/new-zealand-passes-command-of-ctf-151-to-thailand/. dead.
  48. Web site: UKMTO Dubai welcomes the Commander of the Combined Task Force 151.. April 23, 2015. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  49. Web site: Japan Makes History as it Takes the Lead of Combined Task Force 151. June 2, 2015. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  50. Web site: Turkey assumes command of CTF 151 from Japan. August 27, 2015. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  51. Web site: Pakistan assumes command of CTF 151 from Turkey. December 21, 2015. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  52. Web site: Pakistan handover to Singapore at CTF 151 Change of Command Ceremony. April 7, 2016. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  53. Web site: Commandant SAFTI MI. www.mindef.gov.sg.
  54. Web site: Singapore handover to Korea at CTF 151 Change of Command Ceremony. July 7, 2016. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  55. Web site: CTF 151 Handover #piracy #maritimesecurityoperations. October 27, 2016. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  56. Web site: CTF 151 Change of Command Ceremony. March 9, 2017. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  57. Web site: JAPAN HANDS OVER TO TURKEY IN CTF151 CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY. June 29, 2017. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  58. Web site: TURKEY HANDS OVER TO BAHRAIN IN CTF 151 CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY. November 2, 2017. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  59. Web site: CTF 151 BAHRAIN HANDOVER TO JAPAN. March 1, 2018. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  60. Web site: SINGAPORE TAKES COMMAND OF COUNTER PIRACY COMBINED TASK FORCE 151. July 1, 2018. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  61. Web site: FIRST TIME CTF 151 AND CTF 152 CONDUCTED A CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY ON THE SAME DAY!. February 25, 2019. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  62. Web site: Kuwait Naval Forces hands over to Republic of Korea Navy in CTF 151 Change of Command Ceremony. June 26, 2019. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  63. Web site: Republic of Korea Navy hands over command of CTF 151 to Kuwait Naval Force – القوات البحرية للجمهورية الكورية تسلم قيادة قوات الواجب المختلطة -١٥١ للقوات البحرية الكويتية. October 23, 2019. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  64. Web site: JAPAN TAKES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151. February 23, 2020. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  65. Web site: Japan Hands Over Command of CTF 151 to Turkey. July 21, 2020. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  66. Web site: TURKISH NAVY HANDS OVER TASK FORCE COMMAND TO PAKISTAN. December 18, 2020. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  67. Web site: BRAZILIAN NAVY (MARIHNA DO BRASIL) TAKES FIRST COMMAND IN CMF. June 10, 2021. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  68. News: Republic of Korea Assumes Command of Anti-Piracy Task Force . DVIDS . en.
  69. Web site: Philippine Navy now leads international force in counter-piracy .
  70. Web site: CTF 151: Counter-piracy Website. 17 September 2010.

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