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British Royal Navy Takes Command of Task Force 150

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS040920-08
Release Date: 9/20/2004 4:10:00 PM

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Commodore Tom Cunningham of the British Royal Navy relieved Rear Adm. Jean Pierre Teule of the French Navy as commander of Task Force (TF) 150 in a Sept. 19 ceremony aboard the French Ship Compte De Grasse (FS 67).

"Task Force 150 is different from other task forces by the large number of nations involved," said Teule.

Ships of TF 150 from 12 nations have patrolled an area of more than 2 million square miles for more than two years. At present, the multinational force is comprised of ships from France, Italy, Germany, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

"What we have achieved, we have not achieved alone," said Teule. "Each man is justified in this fight."

TF 150 is a key element of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet's contribution to the campaign against international terrorism.

"Our mission is to deter, disrupt and deny international terrorist organizations' operational use of this battle space," said Vice Adm. David C. Nichols, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet. "Because of our mutual interests, we will conduct these maritime operations for the foreseable future."

Coalition maritime forces continue operations in the region to counter the illegal movement of weaponry, people and other materials that support terrorist and other extremists on the international waters of Southwest Asia.

The French have led this multinational naval force, responsible for denying international terrorist organizations and extremists the use of maritime environment in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Horn of Africa and Somalia Basin, since June.

"It is a great honor for me to take command of this highly capable and truly multinational Task Force, and carry on the good work of our French allies in the campaign against international terrorism," said Cunningham upon assuming command of TF 150.

Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Maritime Interception Operations (MIO), also known as Expanded EMIO, is conducted throughout the region as part of the global war on terrorism to deter, deny and disrupt the movement of terrorists and terrorist-related materials.

OEF MIO began in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility in November 2001. Since then, there have been approximately 54,390 queries and approximately 1,368 boardings in the North Arabian Sea, and approximately 24,009 queries and approximately 197 boardings in the Horn of Africa region.