CTF 150: Maintaining A Lawful Maritime Order

ARABIAN SEA (2008 FILE PHOTO) Members of a 'visit, board, search and seizure' team prepare to inspect a dhow in the Arabian Sea. (U.S. Navy photo.)

Focus on Defense:

FS MARNE, At Sea, May 31, 2008 -- Some of the world's most heavily traveled waters are in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, a multinational coalition task force, is conducting operations in these busy and sometimes dangerous waters to help build a lawful maritime order.

Commanded by French Rear Adm. Jean-Louis Kerignard, CTF 150 is comprised of approximately six to eight ships and conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) to deter illicit activities in the maritime arena.

"Our goal for CTF 150 is to provide a safe area for all ships within the region," Kerignard said aboard FS Marne (A 630), the task force flagship. "Our main purpose is to deny the use of the sea by terrorists. We do this by our presence and show of force within the region."

CTF 150, part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) or the coalition, is charged with maintaining continuous Coalition presence and conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) southwest of the Straits of Hormuz in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and patrols the Indian Ocean.

The coalition has a common purpose and goal - to increase the security and prosperity of the region by working together for a better future.

In this mission, the coalition is working to defeat terrorism, prevent piracy, reduce illegal trafficking of people and drugs, and promote the maritime environment as a safe place for mariners with legitimate business.

"It is important for us to be here, so we can show our support for the coalition and to participate in operations against terrorist organizations," said Cmdr. Jerome Origny, Marne's commanding officer.

"It has been a privilege and an honor to provide maritime security in this region."

Marne, along with USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) and FGS Emden (F 210) are currently operating in CTF 150 and bring important capabilities that are essential to carrying out successful operations, said Kerignard.

"The asset that each of the ships within the region provides is essential to the success of CTF 150 operations," said Kerignard. "We're working closely together with our coalition partners to conduct operations that counter illicit activities in the maritime arena and to create a lawful maritime order."

Marne, homeported in Toulion, France, is deployed to the CTF 150 area of operations conducting MSO which help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. These operation complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

(From a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs press release.)

Tags: DOD, Military, Focus On Defense, United States, U.S., Open Thread, CMF, NAVCENT, Navy, Maritime Security Operation, Fifth Fleet, 5th Fleet, CTF 150
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