More than 2,500 kilogrammes of drugs were seized over the course of a joint maritime naval operation, during which six suspicious vessels were boarded.
The New Zealand-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) recently wrapped up Anzac Tiger, a joint operation with CTF 153, formerly led by Australia.
“Operation Anzac Tiger was our introduction to operations in support of CTF 150 this year,” said Te Kaha commanding officer, Royal New Zealand Navy commander Fiona Jameson.
The Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Te Kaha and the Indian Navy ship INS Tarkash conducted six boardings during Anzac Tiger, with one major seizure by Tarkash and a small seizure by Te Kaha.
Together, crews from both ships seized 2,508kg of narcotics, including 2,386kg of hashish and 122kg of heroin.
During the operation, a range of intelligence organisations collaborated to identify vessels of interest.
The two ships in action
The CTF 150 staff, headquartered in Bahrain, directed surface ships and air assets to investigate as required. The ship’s Seasprite helicopter and task group air assets visually identified the contact, confirmed the position, and observed their activities.
“When the patterns of life demonstrate suspicious activity, that’s our cue to deploy the boarding team to go and take a closer look,” Cmdr Jameson explained.
The New Zealanders also conducted boarding training with the Indian ship’s crew, which helped each member understand the other’s tactics and procedures.
Since New Zealand assumed command in January, units working in support of the task force have seized more than $23 million worth of illicit drugs.
“Working with other maritime professionals to maintain maritime security, learning through shared experiences, and developing comradeship between Navies is an important part of working in a combined task force,” Cmdr Jameson added.
CTF 150 commander Royal New Zealand Navy Commodore Rodger Ward explained that Anzac Tiger provided an opportunity to further trust and guardianship, using words from the Māori language, ‘whakapono’ (trusted partners), ‘kaitiakitanga’ (guardianship), ‘mahi tahi’ (working together) and ‘he heremana tatou’ (the development of sailors).
“This was our first focused operation since taking command and we were very fortunate to have our sister Task Force 153, under the command of Captain Jorge McKee, Royal Australian Navy, offering their experience,” he added.
“The power of the Combined Maritime Force and its five task forces is our ability for member forces to come together, conduct an operation and then disperse for other tasks. I think this is possibly the only place on the planet where 46 nations’ naval forces do that on a regular basis.”
HMNZS Te Kaha is an Anzac-class frigate in the Royal New Zealand Navy and plays a vital role in protecting New Zealand, its exports, maritime resources and those of allies.
INS Tarkash is a Teg class frigate of the Indian Navy, and is part of the Western Fleet under Western Naval Command, based in Mumbai.
CTF 150 is one of five task forces under CMF, the world’s largest international naval partnership. CTF 150’s mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.
Combined Maritime Forces is a 46-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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