A NEW international maritime task force which will offer the region an additional ‘blanket of security’ will be commissioned on Sunday.
The Combined Task Force (CTF) 153, the fourth of its kind under the Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 34-nation partnership, will operate in the Red Sea. It will focus on international maritime security and capacity building efforts, specifically in the area extending from the Suez Canal down through the Red Sea, Bab Al Mandeb and up to the Yemen-Oman border in the Gulf of Aden.
Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper yesterday announced that the 15-member CTF 153 will embark on a navy ship at the Red Sea, soon after its official commissioning at the CMF headquarters in Bahrain. It will operate from amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney and will have two to eight ships under it, at any given time.
CTF 153 will be commanded by US Navy Captain Robert Francis, who also leads the CMF’s Task Force for surface ships, the Task Force 55.
“We believe that focusing (the regional threats) under a task force command, in an organisational structure that leverages our partners in a meaningful way in this region, will simply give us a better overall blanket of security,” said Vice Adm Cooper. “It will enhance maritime security and regional stability.”
He was speaking alongside CMF chief of staff Captain Morgan Roberts at a virtual media roundtable.
“By establishing CTF 153, we will strengthen CMF, and ultimately enhance security and stability in the Red Sea and the region,” he said. “That’s important because security and stability in that particular region is vital for global trade and the free flow of commerce.”
CMF has had three task forces – the CTF 150 which focuses on maritime security outside the Arabian Gulf, CTF 151 dedicated to counter piracy across the entire region and CTF 152 targeting maritime security inside the Arabian Gulf.
“CTF 153 will focus on international maritime security and capacity building efforts specifically in the Red Sea, Bab Al Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden,” said Vice Adm Cooper.
“These are strategically important waters that warrant our attention and any destabilising activity, including threats to commercial traffic and coastal infrastructure, can have profound global impact.”
He added that a regional partner is expected to assume a leadership role later this year at the CTF 153.
“CTF 153 will leverage leadership of regional navies who regularly operate in these waters and have a deeper knowledge of the environment,” Vice Adm Cooper said.
“The Red Sea, Bab Al Mandeb and Gulf of Aden are among the world’s most important corridors of trade. CTF 153’s establishment is a tangible and meaningful demonstration of our commitment to keep these waters safe through greater international co-operation.”
Vice Adm Cooper acknowledged Bahrain’s leadership and its gracious hospitality for hosting the CMF and the US Fifth Fleet. He said the CMF had a ‘good game plan ahead, with both an operational and intel component’, adding that bringing the USS Mount Whitney, traditionally the sixth flagship in the Fifth Fleet, signalled CMF’s ‘strong resolve and commitment’ to this region.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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