ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy has once again assumed command of the multinational Combined Task Force-151 for the ninth time.
According to the Pakistan Navy spokesperson, the change of command ceremony was held at the Combined Maritime Forces Headquarters in Bahrain. The ceremony was attended by military and diplomatic dignitaries including ambassadors of Pakistan and Turkey.
Earlier, the command was held by Turkey under Rear Admiral Nejat Inanir, while Pakistan Navy has already held this command eight times. The Task Force has been headed by different participating countries.
Addressing the event, Commander of the Force Commodore Abdul Muneeb said Pakistan Navy will continue to work for peace and stability in the region in collaboration with navies of other countries. He acknowledged the services rendered by the outgoing Commander Combined Task Force and his team.
The Combined Task Force-151 ensures maritime security and controls piracy and terrorism. It 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.
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.
