3 Combined Naval Task Forces Meet in Gulf of Aden

GULF OF ADEN (Nov. 21, 2009) Commodore Pieter Bindt, Force Commander of European Naval Force Somalia Combined Task Force 465 (left), Commodore Jose Pereira de Cunha, NATO Commander, Combined Task Force 508 (middle) and Rear Admiral Scott Sanders, Commander, Combined Task Force 151 (right) at the Three Combined Task Forces Shared Awareness and De-Confliction (SHADE) planning meeting on November 21 aboard the Portuguese frigate Alveras Cabral. (Official U.S. Navy Photo.)

Dispatches from the Front:

USS CHOSIN, Gulf of Aden (At Sea), Nov. 25, 2009 -- Three commanders of counter piracy task forces met Nov. 21 to discuss the future of their efforts and to welcome their newest member, Commodore Jose Pereira de Cunha, NATO Commander, Combined Task Force 508.

Rear Adm. Scott Sanders, Commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, transferred from USS Chosin (CG 65), flagship of CTF 151, on an APECS II Lynx helicopter (Mk 95) from the Portuguese frigate Alveras Cabral, to meet with Pereira de Cunha, and Commodore Pieter Bindt, Force Commander of European Naval Force Somalia Combined Task Force 465.

The three CTF leaders meet monthly to discuss and coordinate current and future operations off the coast of Somalia.

“There is an extraordinary level of communication and cooperation among all of the nations conducting counter-piracy operations in the Gulf,” said Sanders. “We communicate with each other while underway via electronic means, but to be able to meet and discuss matters in person helps to foster better relations between the Task Forces.”

Since Dec. 2008, more than nine countries have joined with CTF units in order to ensure safety, reduce wastage of assets, and create efficient and effective coverage of the Internationally Recognized Transit Corridor (IRTC).

"No ship has been successfully pirated in the IRTC that has followed the recommended maritime industry guidelines," said Sanders.

Merchant mariners that have listened to the recommendations and lessons have employed reasonable self-protection measures that discourage or prevent pirates from attempting to take their vessels. These measures have ranged from proactive lookouts, evasive maneuvering, razor wire on deck edges, using charged fire hoses to fend off attackers and employing armed security teams on board.

The presence of Coalition Navy vessels in the region demonstrates the international commitment to regional security and stability. To continue to counter and deter piracy successfully, Coalition efforts must be complimented by proactive measures by commercial shippers, regional governments, and the international community.

CTF 151 is part of Combined Maritime Forces, a coalition that conducts Maritime Security Operations throughout the Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea to help provide security and stability in the region.

(Report by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Matthew A. Hepburn.)