Combined Task Force 151
Combined Task Force 151 or CTF-151 or Combined Task Force One Five One is an international naval task force, set up in response to piracy attacks in shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia.
CTF 151 operates in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia covering an area of approximately 1.1 million square miles.
CTF 151 is a multinational task force established in January 2009 to conduct counterpiracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) area of responsibility to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations.
CTF 151 has previously been commanded by the U.S. Navy, the Korean Navy, the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Turkish Navy. The command staff is composed of personnel from a number of coalition countries, and it manages daily operations from onboard the ROKS Kang Gamchan a Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin class destroyer.
Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Adm. Harris Chan Weng Yip currently commands CTF 151.
Formation
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion with: actions between 2004-2009. You can help by adding to it. (January 2011) |
Between 2002 and 2004, a first naval coalition in charge of fighting terrorism in the area was dubbed Task Force 151.
On January 8, 2009, at the United States Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, Vice Admiral William E. Gortney, USN, announced the formation of CTF-151 to combat the piracy threat off Somalia, with Rear Admiral Terence E. McKnight in command.[1] The USS San Antonio (LPD-17) was designated as the first flagship of Combined Task Force 151, serving as an afloat forward staging base (AFSB) for the following force elements:
- 14-member U.S. Navy visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team.[2][3]
- 8-member United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 405.[2][3]
- Scout Sniper Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) cross-decked from the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7).[2]
- 3rd platoon of the 26 MEU 'Golf' Infantry Company, a military police detachment, and intelligence personnel.[3]
- Fleet Surgical Team 8 with level-two surgical capability to deal with trauma, surgical, critical care and medical evacuation needs.[3]
- Approximately 75 Marines with six AH-1W Super Cobra and two UH-1N Huey helicopters from the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 (HMM-264) of the 26th MEU cross-decked from the USS Iwo Jima.[4]
- Three HH-60H helicopters from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 3 (HS-3) cross-decked from the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).[3][5]
Initially, CTF-151 consisted of the San Antonio, USS Mahan (DDG-72), and HMS Portland (F79), with additional warships expected to join this force.[6] Twenty countries were expected to contribute to the force, including Republic of Korea, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, all of which have already pledged participation.[7]
Republic of Korea has contributed to CTF 151 with the Cheonghae Unit, which has assumed its duties on March 3, 2009.[8] The Cheonghae Unit operates a Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin class destroyer, one of the most modern destroyers in the world that carries a Super Lynx Mk.99A.
On April 5, 2009, Rear Adm. Michelle J. Howard, U.S.Navy, assumed command of CTF-151 and Expeditionary Strike Group 2.[9] On the 29 May, the Australian Government pledged its support, re-tasking Australian Warship HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152) from duties in the Persian Gulf to the taskforce.[10]
Commanders
- Rear Admiral Sinan ERTUĞRUL, TN
- Rear Admiral Lee Beom-rim, ROKN
- Rear Admiral Bernard Miranda, Republic of Singapore Navy
- Rear Admiral Terence E. McKnight, USN
- Rear Admiral Michelle J. Howard, USN
- Rear Admiral Caner Bener, TN
- Rear Admiral Scott E. Sanders, USN
Flagships
.jpg)
_Operation_Enduring_Freedom.jpg)
_underway_2007.jpg)
See also
- Piracy in Somalia
- Maritime Security Patrol Area
- Combined Task Force 150
- Operation Atalanta
- Maersk Alabama hijacking
References
- ^ "New Counter-Piracy Task Force Established". Navy NewsStand. GlobalSecurity.org. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
- ^ a b c d e Goodwin, Brian (2009-01-19). "San Antonio Key to Counterpiracy Mission". Defence Professional. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ Mills, Cpl Jason D. (2009-01-09). "Skids Fly to San Antonio". Marine Corps News. Military Advantage. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ Gibbons, Timothy J. (2009-01-28). "San Navy helicopter squadron helps fight pirates". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
- ^ Viscusi, Gregory (2009-01-27). "Pirate Attacks Cut Dramatically by Navies, U.S. Admiral Says". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "US to lead new anti-pirate force". BBC News. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ Jung Sung Ki (2009-03-03). "New S. Korean Naval Unit To Deploy to Somalia". Defense News. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ^ Lt. John Fage (April 5, 2009). "Admiral Howard Takes Command of ESG-2 and CTF 151". Release #057-09. U.S Fifth Fleet. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
- ^ McPhedran, Ian (2009-05-29). "Navy warship and RAAF spy planes join fight against Somali pirates". The Daily Telegraph.