BAHRAIN – A high level delegation of Japanese officials visited the headquarters of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), May 6.

Left to right: Rear Adm. Kevin Scott, Mr. Mitsu Shimojo, Vice Adm. Mark Fox, His Excellency Mr. Shigeki Sumi, Commodore Simon Ancona.

The visit of Mr. Mitsu Shimojo, Parliamentary Vice Minister, Japanese Ministry of Defence, was to highlight the work of CMF and the contribution Japan makes to the 26 nation coalition.

Accompanied by His Excellency Mr Shigeki Sumi, Japan’s Ambassador to Bahrain, as well as other high level dignitaries, the delegation was welcomed by Vice Admiral Fox, Commander Combined Maritime Forces.  The visit included discussions about the ongoing successes of CMF’s activities to disrupt terrorism, piracy and armed robbery at sea.  Japan has been a member of CMF since 2003 and currently contributes a Senior Naval Representative to the headquarters’ staff and a range of assets including Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Commenting on the visit Admiral Fox said “I am honored to personally welcome Mr. Shimojo and his delegation to CMF to demonstrate the advanced capability and international interoperability used to enhance maritime security in this region.”

Mr. Shimojo replied: “It was good to see how Japan’s contribution to promote the continued peace and stability in the region is being utilised and the valuable work that our personnel are conducting for CMF.”

Vice Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, Commander-in-Chief Self-Defence Fleet, Japan Self Defence Force, visited Vice Admiral Miller, Commander Combined Maritime Forces, and Commodore Simon Ancona, Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces, Bahrain, June 18.

Vice Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano (centre), Commander-in-Chief Self Defense Fleet Japan Self Defense Forces visits Combined Maritime Headquarters.
(L-R)
Commodore Simon Ancona, Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Admiral John Miller, Commander Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, His Excellency Shigeki Sumi, Japan Ambassador to Bahrain, Rear Admiral Kevin Scott, Deputy Commander US Naval Force Central Command.

As Commander of the deployed Japanese counter-piracy force in the Somali Basin and the Gulf of Aden, Vice Adm Kawano visited to see how Japanese military assets are assisting Combined Maritime Forces in the counter-piracy mission.

Japan deploys two Maritime Patrol Aircraft, based in Djibouti, and two warships to support the international counter-piracy effort as well as contributing a Senior Naval Representative based in the CMF Headquarters as a liaison officer.

Cdr Koji Kondo, Japan Senior Naval Representative to CMF said of the visit: “There were discussions about Japan’s contribution to counter-piracy.  Vice Adm Kawano’s visit was successfully completed, ably assisted by all those at CMF.”

The visit also coincided with the CTF 151 Change of Command Ceremony which Vice Adm Kawano took the opportunity to attend onboard RFA Fort Victoria.

Vice Admiral Kawano previously visited CMF in 2003.

CTF 151’s flagship, ROKS WANG GEON, made a port visit to Djibouti from July 23-25, 2012. RDML Anho Chung, Commander of CTF 151 (CCTF-151), took advantage of the port visit to meet with both his international military counterparts and key regional leaders to discuss the piracy threat and to thank his partners for their continued support of CMF and the counter-piracy mission.

Commander of CTF 151 RDML Chung meets Captain Akira Shikishima Commander of Japanese P3 Deployment Air Force for Counter-Piracy Enforcement

RDML Chung met with the Captain Akira Shikishima, Commander of the Japanese P3 Deployment Air Force for Counter-Piracy Enforcement (DAPE), at the Japanese Self Defense Force facility in Djibouti. The Japanese P3 DAPE mission provides vital support to international counter-piracy forces by providing Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) over the Internationally Recognized Transit Corridor (IRTC), located in the Gulf of Aden. RDML Chung thanked the Japanese forces for the intelligence they provide, which allows CMF, NATO and EU counter-piracy forces to identify real time threats to merchant vessels. In addition to their contribution to international counter-piracy efforts, South Korea and Japan also conduct another aspect of their counter-piracy mission by operating as “independent deployers” conducting escort missions for merchant vessels traveling in the IRTC. This visit cemented an already close partnership between CTF 151 and the Japanese.

RDML Chung then called upon Brigadier General Eugene Haase, Deputy Commander of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). CJTF-HOA’s mission is to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, and dissuade conflict in regional African countries. This directly correlates with CTF 151’s mission to engage with regional and other partners to build capacity in order to protect global maritime commerce and secure freedom of navigation.

Commander CTF 151 RDML Chung meets Brigadier General Eugene Haase, Deputy Commander Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa

CTF 151’s commander then met with Colonel Abdourahman Aden Cher, the Chief of the Djiboutian Navy. In their meeting they discussed how the Djiboutian Navy could deepen their existing contribution to maritime security operations in their region. Finally, RDML Chung met with Mr. Hassan Said, the Head of the Djiboutian National Security Agency, to thank Djibouti for their continued support of multinational forces conducting regional engagement and counter-piracy in the region. Mr. Hassan acknowledged that global commerce is threatened by piracy, and that merchant shipping is vital for the Djiboutian economy. He fully supports the CTF 151 mission and said Djibouti would do it its part to support the counter-piracy mission in the region.

Commander CTF 151, RDML Chung meets Col Abdourahman Aden Cher, the Chief of the Djiboutian Navy

RDML Chung, CCTF-151, stated after the port visit: “In our overall mission to build the capacities of our regional partners, the first step is mutual understanding – sharing knowledge of the mission, and learning the circumstances of the areas where we operate. Overall it was very productive and useful to meet with the regional authorities in Djibouti as well as with our military partners there. This was a very satisfactory step forward in our mission.”

Commodore Tony Millar discussing Japan’s contribution to counter-piracy operations with Captain Tsutomu Okawa

The Commander of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) visited Japanese and Turkish ships providing direct support to CTF-151 in Oman recently.

Commodore Tony Millar from the Royal New Zealand Navy is the current Commander of CTF-151. During a visit to Salalah, Oman, on 7 October, Commodore Millar met with two Ships which directly support CTF 151 counter piracy operations: Japanese Ship Takanami and Turkish Ship Gemlik.

A period of respite alongside in Salalah for the Turkish and Japanese ships provided an invaluable opportunity for Commodore Millar to meet with Captain Tsutomu Okawa of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force and Commander of Escort Division Six onboard JS Takanami and Commander Huseyin Tigli, Commanding Officer of TCG Gemlik, to discuss, among other things, their command impressions of the mission so far and lessons learnt to increase communication and coordination.

Commodore Millar began his visit to Salalah onboard TCG Gemlik with a wide ranging discussion about the shared history between New Zealand and Turkey and coordination of future activities. Following the meeting with Commander Tigli, Commodore Millar was given a tour of ship, which included a lively debate with bridge officers about the importance of traditional navigation techniques, before addressing the crew of Gemlik, thanking them for their hard work in this challenging environment.

After a traditional Turkish lunch onboard Gemlik, Commodore Millar crossed to JS Takanami to meet with Captain Okawa to discuss the ongoing Japanese contribution to counter-piracy operations, including their plans to help the local maritime capacity building effort.

Commodore Tony Millar being briefed on the capability updates on the bridge of JS Takanami by Captain Tsutomu Okawa

Commodore Millar used the opportunity to thank Commander Hiroshi Ueda, the Commanding Officer of JS Takanami, for his timely and professional assistance of a drifting dhow the previous week. The meeting concluded with a tour of Takanami, highlighting the upgrades made in order to successfully conduct counter piracy operations.

Commodore Millar said:

“My meetings with Captain Okawa and Commander Tigli provided wonderful opportunities to thank some of the people providing valuable support to CTF-151 counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. These hard working sailors ensure that the seas remain safe from criminals and allow international trade to prosper.”

Captain Okawa and Commander Tigli meeting onboard TCG Gemlick

He added:

“I am very grateful to Captain Okawa and Commander Tigli for hosting me in Salalah. It was impressive to see the capabilities of both ships and to be reminded of the hard work being undertaken by their Ship’s companies. I was particularly impressed with the focus on protecting those who use the seas for legitimate reasons and the concerns that all personnel had for the safety of those 37 hostages still being held captive by these seagoing criminals. We must never forget that in the final analysis, this mission is about safeguarding lives.”

CTF-151 is a multinational task force which conducts counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The aim is to deter, disrupt and prevent acts of piracy. CTF 151 operates in an area of international waters of more than 1.1 million square miles (2.5 million square kilometres), roughly the size of the Mediterranean and Red Sea combined.

A Turkish Ship, working in direct support of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-piracy task force CTF-151, has undertaken the first focused operation Whātoro (New Zealand Māori for Outreach) with Yemeni forces in the Bab-al-Mandeb straight.

TCG Gemlik Seaboat approaching and assisting a Yemen fishing vessel.

TCG Gemlik was also supported by a Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force P3C Maritime Patrol Aircraft operating from Djibouti. The aim of the operation was to enhance cooperation between regional participants in counter piracy operations and develop a better understanding of the pattern of life in the Bab-al-Mandeb strait.

Commander of CTF-151, Commodore Tony Millar, of the Royal New Zealand Navy was very pleased with the outcome of the operation, especially enhancing the understanding of the pattern of life within the Bab-al-Mandeb strait.

He said: “Cooperation between CTF-151 and Yemeni forces facilitates regional force participation in counter-piracy operations and I personally thank them for their professional support. Engagement is critical in order to improve sharing and regional capabilities in general, but also to directly contribute to a key counter-piracy objective of decreasing the piracy false alarm rate in the Bab-al-Mandeb strait.”

Yemen Coast Guard Sea Rider explaining the leaflets that give local craft guidance how to approach merchant vessels in order to minimise the chance of their approach being considered suspicious.

The Bab-al-Mandeb strait is bordered by Yemen, Djibouti and Somalia with a combined local population of 34 million people. TCG Gemlik was tasked to not only inform local mariners of how their actions affect the larger merchant vessels but also to provide reassurance that naval units are actively patrolling the area.

Operation Whātoro is the first comprehensive exercise in which CTF-151 and Yemen have worked together in associated support, it’s also the first time personnel from Turkey and Yemen have conducted a joint naval exercise. Engagement with local fishermen and mariners was another key objective of CTF-151 in order to inform them how their movements can be interpreted by passing shipping.

Commodore Millar added:

“The first step towards change is understanding. It is believed that the high piracy false alarm rate stems in part from merchant vessels not being aware of the normal patterns of life in the Bab-al-Mandeb strait and from local craft not being aware of the alarms they trigger when approaching merchant vessels.”

The exercise began with a test of the ships’ ability to conduct operations in adverse weather conditions, with a three metre swell and high winds in the northern approaches to the Bab-al-Mandeb strait. TCG Gemlik also has embarked translators to liaise with the mariners and also provide to feedback about ways to improve relations with the local mariners and gather a better understanding of their way of life.

Commander Huseyin Tigli, Commander of TCG Gemlik, said:

“It is clear that focused operation Whātoro has provided an excellent opportunity to interact with the local fishing and merchant trade community, to better understand the views and behaviours of mariners in the area, allowing a safer maritime environment for all users of one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.”

TCG Gemlik boarding team providing food and drink to local craft in order to assist in goodwill towards coalition forces.

CTF-151 is a multinational task force which conducts counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The aim is to deter, disrupt and prevent acts of piracy. CTF-151 operates in an area of international waters of more than 1.1 million square miles (2.5 million square kilometres), roughly the size of the Mediterranean and Red Seas combined.

A disabled Yemeni fishing vessel drifting in the Gulf of Aden

A Japanese warship assigned in direct support to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-piracy task force, CTF-151, has saved the lives of six fishermen in the Gulf of Aden.

JS Harusame proceeding to assist the drifting fishing vessel

The Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force ship Harusame, currently operating as part of Thailand-led CTF-151, received information from fellow Japanese warship JS Amagiri,that a disabled fishing vessel had been spotted off the coast of Djibouti, around 32 nautical miles from Yemeni territorial waters. JS Harusame proceeded to the last known location as soon as they received the information in order to provide assistance.

On arrival, the Japanese crew found six fishermen onboard the vessel who, after identifying themselves as Yemeni fishermen, informed the naval personnel that their engine had broken down three days previously and they had been drifting since then. Commander Masanobu Takasuga, the Commanding Officer of JS Harusame, immediately offered to tow the vessel back to Yemeni territorial waters.

JS Harusame towing the disabled Yemeni fishing vessel

Meanwhile, CTF-151 had been in close contact with the Yemeni Coast Guard, who arranged to send a ship to meet the JS Harusame at the outer limits of their territorial waters to take control of the fishing vessel. All proceeded to plan and the fishermen were returned home safely.

Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and currently Commander of CTF-151 said:

“The sea can be a very dangerous place and it is the duty of every mariner to assist any vessel and crew in danger. I am very grateful to the Commander of Japanese Escort Division 2 who raised the alarm and, of course, JS Harusame’s Commanding Officer and crew for their professionalism and dedication to the customs of the sea.”

CTF-151 works with international organisations such as NATO and the European Union, as well as ships deployed independently from nations around the world, to counter-piracy on the high seas.

Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander CTF-151 welcomed onboard the JS Harusame

The commander of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-piracy task force visited two ships assigned to counter-piracy duties during a recent visit to Oman.

Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander CTF-151 with Captain Sun-Woo Hwang, the Commanding Officer of ROKS Dae Jo Yeong, and his officers

Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander of CMF’s counter-piracy task force, CTF-151, took the opportunity presented by a visit to the Omani port of Salalah to visit two ships assigned in support of CTF-151. Rear Admiral Wanich, who was in Oman meeting with officials from the Royal Navy of Oman, was delighted when he found out that Republic of Korea Ship Dae Jo Yeong and Japanese Ship Harusame, both having recently supported CTF-151 counter-piracy operations, were calling into the port during his visit.

Captain Sun-Woo Hwang, Commanding Officer of ROKS Dae Jo Yeong, with Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander CTF-151, in the Wardroom ROKS Dae Jo Yeong

Accompanied by Commander Komol Kongboonrak, one of the CTF-151 staff officers, Rear Admiral Wanich visited ROKS Dae Jo Yeong on 22 January. The ship, taking a break from counter-piracy patrols, was in port for a period of rest and recuperation and to replenish her storerooms after a prolonged period at sea. On arrival, he met with Captain Sun-Woo Hwang, the ship’s Commanding Officer, and several of the ship’s officers. Rear Admiral Wanich thanked the crew members for their professionalism and performance on operations before opening the floor to questions, giving the officers a chance to ask questions about key developments in the conduct of counter-piracy operations. Following the briefing, Captain Sun-Woo Hwang provided a tour of the ship before Rear Admiral Wanich departed.

Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander CTF-151 was briefed by the ship’s Operations Officer during the meeting with Captain Sun-Woo Hwang, Commanding Officer of ROKS Dae Jo Yeong

Leaving the Korean ship after an enjoyable and rewarding visit, Rear Admiral Wanich then proceeded to JS Harusame, another of CTF-151’s ships which was just coming alongside in Salalah port. Rear Admiral Wanich, who had previously visited the ship in Djibouti at the beginning of December, was welcomed back by Captain Masatoshi Kashihara, commander of the 20^th Deployment of the Surface Force for Piracy Enforcement, and Commander Kunio Aoki, the ship’s Commanding Officer. After meeting with the ship’s officers, the Rear Admiral thanked the crew for their assistance to a disabled Yemeni fishing vessel in the Gulf of Aden. It was clear from the outset that the Japanese officers had enjoyed serving as part of CTF-151, and Rear Admiral Wanich recognised their professionalism.

Captain Masatoshi Kashihara, Commander of the 20th Deployment of the Surface Force for Piracy Enforcement, with Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander CTF-151

Rear Admiral Wanich said:

“I was so happy to meet with the crew of ROKS Dae Jo Yeong and JS Harusame again. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to both ships for their great support to CTF-151 and for their professionalism and performance as counter-piracy units in the area of operations.”

Commander Kunio Aoki, Commanding Officer of JS Harusame, with Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander CTF-151

JS Harusame Shore Engagement Team visited to Local fishing vessel at port of call

A Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) warship supporting CTF-151, the counter-piracy task force, engaged with local fishermen during a port visit to Salalah, Oman, this week.

In an effort to raise awareness of the CMF mission and explain how their behavior might be misinterpreted by commercial vessels passing through their fishing grounds, the Ship’s Company of Japanese Ship Harusame handed out leaflets, written in both English and Arabic, and discussed how to avoid being mistaken for pirates.

Local fishermen read CTF 151’s Leaflets and promised to inform others

The CTF-151 area of operations includes three of the world’s six maritime chokepoints, including the busy Bab El-Mandeb strait, which are transited by hundreds of merchant vessels every week. Although piracy-related incidents have been much reduced thanks to international organisations like CMF, NATO and the EU Naval Force, as well as independent deployers from nations committed to the safety and security of the region, merchant sailors are still wary of close contact with small boats which could pose a threat, and so the number of piracy-related false alarms remain high. As such, CTF-151’s mission includes engaging with local fishermen and other legitimate users of the seas to ensure they do not provoke a misunderstanding from the merchant vessels’ onboard security teams.

Captain Masatoshi Kashihara, commander of the 20^th Deployment of the Surface Force for Piracy Enforcement, explained that influencing one fisherman can ultimately lead to many more hearing CMF’s message:

“The fishermen promised us that they will provide copies of CTF-151’s leaflets to other vessels which are conducting fishing activities in the Gulf of Aden after they go back to their home waters. The interest in our activity was great this time, so we will conduct this kind of engagement at the next opportunity we have alongside during another port visit.”

Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and current Commander of CTF-151 said:

“In line with our engagement plan, the crew of JS Harusame conducted great activity during her port visit, influencing local fishermen’s behaviour in order to decrease false alarms in the Gulf of Aden and particularly in the Bab El-Mandeb strait. I’d like to thank JS Harusame for their effective engagement and look forward to seeing more activity in the future.”

ITS Andrea Doria with JS Harusame in the background

Officers from the Japanese Ship (JS) Harusame, currently assigned to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-piracy task force CTF-151, took the opportunity to visit the flagship of the EU Naval Force counter-piracy mission, Italian Ship (ITS) Andrea Doria, when they found themselves operating in close proximity.

Following a high level of piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia, CMF established CTF-151 in 2009 to work with other international organisations, such as the EU Naval Force, to deter, disrupt and thwart piracy operations. Opportunities such as this meeting at sea offer a chance to share best practice and ensure that the international community can work together as effectively as possible to defeat piracy.

The delegation from JS Harusame was warmly welcomed by the crew of ITS Andrea Doria and the EU Naval Force staff

JS Harusame, assigned to CMF and also home to the Japanese national 20^th Deployed Surface Force for Counter-Piracy, was operating in the Gulf of Aden when ITS Andrea Doria, escorting a World Food Programme ship, sailed close by. Leading the delegation from JS Harusame, Captain Masatoshi Kashihara, commander of the 20^th Deployment of the Surface Force for Piracy Enforcement, was welcomed onboard by the EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, and the Commanding Officer of ITS.Andrea Doria, Captain Virdis.

The EU Naval Force staff brief the crew from JS Harusame

Having received an update briefing on the area of operations from the EU Naval Force, the Japanese officers were given a guided a tour of ITS Andrea Doria. The discussions throughout the day focused on enhancing the already strong bonds between CMF and the EU Naval Force, and sharing best practice on conducting counter-piracy operations.

The officers from JS Harusame were given a tour of the ITS Andrea Doria

Captain Kashihara said:

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to deepen our mutual understanding and trust so that we can work closer together to conduct counter-piracy operations in the area of operations.”

Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander of CTF-151 said:

“I am pleased that officers from CTF-151 warship JS.Harusame paid a visit to CTF-465 flagship ITS Andrea Doria at sea. The meeting was beneficial, both for the ships at sea and as a means of enhancing CMF’s cooperation with EU Naval Force.”

The delegation from JS Harusame was warmly welcomed by the crew of INS Teg

Officers from the Japanese Ship (JS) Harusame, currently assigned to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-piracy task force CTF-151, took the opportunity to meet their counterparts on Indian Naval Ship (INS) Teg when both ships were alongside in Salalah, Oman, recently.

Following a high level of piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia, CMF established CTF-151 in 2009 to work with other international coalitions such as NATO and the EU Naval Force to deter, disrupt and thwart piracy operations. Later, other nations began to deploy ships independent of these umbrella organisations, including India. Opportunities such as this meeting offer a chance to share best practice and ensure that the international community can work together as effectively as possible to defeat piracy.

Captain Masatoshi Kashihara, commander of the 20th Deployment of the Surface Force for Piracy Enforcement, and Commander Kunio Aoki, JS Harusame’s Commanding Officer, led the delegation from the Japanese ship and were warmly welcomed onboard. The officers from JS Harusame made the most of this opportunity, exchanging information about maritime security issues in the Gulf of Aden and enhancing the close relationship that already exists between naval personnel contributing to the international counter-piracy mission.

The officers were delighted to be given a tour of the ship by Captain A Y Tardesai, Commanding Officer of INS Teg, before having a series of informal discussions.

The officers from JS Harusame were given a tour of the INS Teg

Captian Kashihara said:

“It was a great opportunity to deepen our mutual understanding and close cooperation with the crew of INS Teg, which makes eminent sense considering that we are engaged on very similar missions with the shared aim of defeating piracy in the region.”

The officers held discussions about the counter-piracy mission

Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander of CTF-151 said:

“It was very fortunate that the crew of a CTF-151 warship were able to meet with their Indian counterparts. As we are already aware, cooperation among counter piracy units at all level of command is always needed so we can achieve our counter piracy objective. The meeting between the two warships was very beneficial and we will undoubtedly see ever-closer cooperation, ultimately resulting in the success of our counter piracy efforts going forward.”

Captain Masatoshi Kashihara from the JS Harusame in discussions with Lieutenant Commander Ali Tuna Baysal, Commanding Officer of the TCG Buyukada

Officers from Japanese warship Harusame, supporting the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-piracy task force, were welcomed onboard Turkish warship TCG Buyukada recently, which is operating as part of NATO’s counter-piracy mission, when the two ships were sailing in close proximity to each other in the Gulf of Aden.

Captain Masatoshi Kashihara, commander of the 20^th Deployment of the Surface Force for Piracy Enforcement, along with officers from the Japanese ship, took the great opportunity to visit TCG Buyukada. The delegation was welcomed onboard by Lieutenant Commander Ali Tuna Baysal, the ship’s Commanding Officer, while his second in command and other officers transferred across to the Harusame. Both visits were extremely beneficial, with shared discussions about current counter-piracy issues in the area, and enhanced the already strong bonds which exist between the two counter-piracy organisations.

The delegation from JS Harusame were warmly welcomed by the crew of Turkish warship TCG Buyukada

Following the formal meetings, Lieutenant Commander Baysal provided a guided tour of his ship and hosted a lunch.

The Japanese delegation were treated to a traditional Turkish lunch onboard the TCG Buyukada

Captain Kashihara said:

“The visit at sea was great opportunity to see how we each do business. The exchange of information about maritime security in the area of operations is fundamental to building trust and confidence between our ships and wider organisations.”

Captain Masatoshi Kashihara from the JS Harusame in discussions with Lieutenant Commander Ali Tuna Baysal, Commanding Officer of the TCG Buyukada

Rear Admiral Pakorn Wanich from the Royal Thai Navy and Commander of CTF-151 said:

“This sort of exchange between two counter-piracy warships can lead to great benefits for both CMF and NATO. It provided an opportunity for each ship to update the other on the security situation in their area of operations, thus creating ever-better situational awareness. Clearly it is also fundamental to ensuring mutual cooperation in countering piracy together.”

Commander of Combined Task Force 151 met the Vice President of the Seychelles to discuss the combined approach that has been successful in suppressing piracy in the region over the past years.

Chief of Seychelles Coast Guard, Lt Col Simon Dine (l), and Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, Rear Admiral Hiroshi Ito (r), survey the Seychelles Coast Guard Fleet.

Rear Admiral Ito, Commander of the Japanese led task force, and the Vice President, Mr Danny Faure discussed the importance of maintaining the current suppression of piracy in the region. The Rear Admiral congratulated the Seychelles Government on their success in providing the legal framework to prosecute Somali pirates.
He said, “The Seychelles has delivered a big contribution to international counter piracy efforts. The legal process they deliver must send a strong message to all that should individuals attempt piracy, they will face a strong and determined legal end to their actions.”
The meeting with the Vice-President was part of wider engagement conducted by the Commander CTF151 which included visits to the Chief of the Seychelles Defence Force, the Ministries of Home and Foreign Affairs as well as the Attorney General and the Seychelles Coast Guard.

Commander CTF 151, Rear Admiral Ito (l), is recieved by Vice President of the Seychelles, Mt Danny Faure (r) where they discussed collaborative counter piracy efforts.

Whilst there has not been a successful act of piracy in the region since 2012, the threat still remains. The Admiral stated that although, “Piracy in the area around the Horn of Africa has been suppressed; however, the causes and potential threat to shipping still remain.”
As Commander of a multinational counter piracy task force, Rear Admiral Ito recognises the importance of a multi-national, multi-agency approach. He said, “no single nation or navy can be expected to provide security over such a large area. We must ensure we continue our collaborative approach that has been so successful of the past years to optimize our efforts and act as a force multiplier. The work the Seychelles Government is doing is a great example of this approach.”

Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 has conducted a joint operation with partners from across the international community, both military and non-military, aimed at encouraging the maritime community to work together to promote legitimate trade and fair use of the sea in the Horn of Africa region.

The operation, coordinated by CTF151, was a multinational, multiagency operation involving ships and aircraft from 5 nations, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation and the European Union Naval force, (EU NAVFOR). The aim was to encourage cooperation and communication amongst all maritime users in the region, including fishermen and merchant vessels operating in the area.

 Caption: An officer onboard JS AKIZUKI conducts a Maritime Awareness Call with a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden.

The Commander of CTF 151, Rear Admiral Hiroshi Ito, said: “This operation shows the commitment of the international community to the region. A great deal of work is being done to build capacity for regional maritime security but, until that work is done, the threat of piracy will remain. The international community is working together to help deliver a stable and secure environment for the maritime community.” He added: “We encourage all members of the maritime community whether fishermen or merchant vessels to work together, share information, and report suspicious activity. By working together we can protect legitimate trade and fair use of the sea.”

Caption: JS AKIZUKI taking part in the operation

Ships and aircraft from Pakistan, South Korea, Spain, USA and Japan took part in the operation which took place over 7 days covering areas in the Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman.

Japan is leading CTF 151 for three months. Other nations working in direct support to the Japanese-led headquarters include Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand, Turkey, UK, and USA.

Images captured by JDS AKIZUKI, Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.

The Japanese ship JS Suzunami, working for Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, recently undertook a dramatic medical emergency rescue at sea.

A medical emergency distress call was received from the MV Hawassan, which was transiting through the Indian Ocean. One of the crew members from India was experiencing severe chest pains and having difficulty breathing. Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), based in Bahrain, immediately coordinated a response to dispatch JS Suzunami to meet up with the MV Hawassa and offer medical assistance.

The Japanese SH-60K aircraft during the medical emergency on board MV Hawassa

The doctor from JS Suzunami was airlifted on board by SH-60K helicopter, where he was joined by the doctor from JS Makinami, which was also in the vicinity. After performing a thorough check-up, the medical team advised that the patient needed to be urgently evacuated to nearby Djibouti, in order to get further specialised medical assistance.

Medics attend to the casualty on the MV Hawassa

The swift response of the Japanese ships and of CTF 151 in support of CMF was praised by the Captain of MV Hawassa, who expressed both his gratitude for assistance and confidence in the support he had received.

The Pakistan-led CTF 151 conducts counter-piracy patrols under the command of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), which is a multinational naval partnership of 30 nations. CMF exists to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Commander Combined Task Force 151 (CCTF151) Commodore Zahid Ilyas SI(M) S.Bt recently visited Djibouti to promote further cooperation between Djibouti and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Commodore Zahid Ilyas met with the Djiboutian Deputy Chief of Navy, Lieutenant Commander Ali Abdoulaye Bouh, in recognition of Djibouti’s valuable support of Coalition Forces. Lieutenant Commander Ali Abdoulaye Bouh thanked CTF151 for its contribution to capacity building within the Joint Area of Operations and acknowledged CTF151’s effort in tackling piracy in the region. The meeting also provided the opportunity to deepen further cooperation between CMF and Djibouti.

Commander Combined Task Force 151, Commodore Zahid Ilyas meets the Djibouti Deputy Navy Chief, Lieutenant Commander Ali Abdoulaye

During his visit, Commodore Zahid Ilyas also met with the Djibouti Coast Guard Commander, Colonel Wais Omar Bogoreh. They discussed plans to increase the area of operations of the Coast Guard and improve working relationships between CMF and the Djibouti Coast Guard.

Continuing his tour, Commodore Zahid Ilyas then visited JS Suzunami and JS Makinami, who were alongside in Djibouti port. He was warmly welcomed by Captain Takeshi Yoshioka, Commander of the 23rd Escort Division of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) in the Gulf of Aden. Acknowledging Japanese contributions towards counter piracy activities, Commodore Zahid Ilyas thanked JMSDF for their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to a distressed dhow (Al Hood) in the area, and for giving medical assistance to crew members of MV Hawassa and MV Cronus Leader last month.

The Commodore also visited the Japanese Deployment Ground Force for Counter-Piracy Enforcement, the Deployment Air Force for Counter-Piracy Enforcement, the Spanish Air Force Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft and the French forces in Djibouti. He conveyed his gratitude to respective Commanders for their invaluable efforts in support of Counter Piracy operations.

Commodore Zahid Ilyas concluded his trip with a visit to the United Nations World Food Program office, where he met the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Djibouti. They exchanged their views on immigrant handling processes during ‘Safety of Life at Sea’ (SOLAS) situations.

Cdr Flatman with the Commanding Officer of the 22nd Grupo, SPAF, Lt Col Juan Ferrero, and his Orion team

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Chief Air Coordination Element (ACE) recently visited Djibouti to witness Japanese and Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) operations.

The Chief ACE, Commander (Cdr) Tim Flatman of the Royal Navy, visited the Forward Operating Base with the primary aim of engaging with the Japanese P3 detachment (Deployment Air-Force for Counter-Piracy Enforcement or ‘DAPE’), and the Spanish P3 detachment (ORION).

Cdr Flatman also took the opportunity to visit the French Atlantique 2 detachment and the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) staff at Camp Lemonnier in order to discuss broad Air de-confliction measures.  The visits included briefs as well as aircraft tours, and all discussions enhanced the overall understanding of the operational and tactical-level challenges facing CMF.  They will also allow for better co-ordination between CMF, EU and NATO planning.

Cdr Flatman said: “Overall it was incredibly useful to spend time with the MPA detachments, not just to finally put faces to names, but fundamentally to see first-hand how the crews operate and discuss the challenges they face.  This capability is vital to the success of CMF operations so I am immensely proud to work with international partners of such a high standard.”

CMF was created post 9/11 to help counter the threat from terrorism but the mission has expanded to include counter-piracy operations.  Commanded from its headquarters in Bahrain, CMF operates three CTFs across 3.2 million square miles of ocean.

When combating piracy no single nation or navy could possibly have enough ships to cover the huge expanses of water. However, while operating within international law, CMF achieves results by working together, pooling resources and actively supporting regional maritime forces.  MPA greatly increase the capability of CMF to find and track dhows and other vessels that might be involved in illicit activities, as well as helping to build the overall Maritime ‘Picture’.

Cdr Flatman with the Commanding Officer of the 24th DAPE, Cdr NAoki Abe, and his team

Group discussion with 24th DAPE operations staff and aircrew

Presentation with Cdr Abe

Discussion with ORION detachment operations staff and aircrew