Multi-national maritime operations focus on safe navigation
Turkey leads operation
Naval and air assets from a range of nations and organisations including Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, the Republic of Korean Navy, Pakistan Navy, Seychelles Navy, Djibouti Coast Guard and Yemen Coast Guard participated in an operation around the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa at the end of last month.
Ocean Ridge, a Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 of spearheaded by Türkiye-led CTF 151, was designed to operate focused on the main navigational route for shipping passes right through this area. With the seas becoming calmer again after the SW monsoon has passed, there has been a huge increase in the number of smaller fishing vessels, skiffs and dhows operating again.
Throughout the operation, participating ships and aircrafts conducted extensive patrols and surveillance in the area.
“CTF 151 is an enduring force tasked with keeping the region safe for legitimate shipping and free from piracy,” said CTF 151 commander, RAdm Rüştü Sezer. Focus Operation Ocean Ridge was an opportunity to demonstrate that all efforts by participants are truly essential for the free flow of commerce as we approach the fall transition season.”
“Focus Operation ended with a high level achievement in deterring piracy with the close participation and work of naval surface and air assets and to ensure freedom of navigation,” he added.
CTF 151 is one of the five task forces under CMF, the world’s largest international naval partnership. CTF 151’s mission is to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in the maritime environment.
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.
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