Turkish Navy to Assume Command of Counter-Piracy Task Force CTF 151

News from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet Combined Maritime Forces.
Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2009 -- The U.S. Navy will transfer command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 to the Turkish Navy on Sunday, May 3, 2009 in a ceremony aboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain.

CTF 151 was established in January 2009 and initially commanded by the U.S. Navy. Turkey will be the second nation to command the counter-piracy task force. This also marks first time Turkey will command a Combined Maritime Forces Task Force.

Turkish Rear Adm. Caner Bener will relieve U.S. Rear Adm. Michelle Howard.

(Report from a Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs news release.)

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