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CTF 151, USS Gettysburg Strengthen International Ties in Seychelles

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090621-03
Release Date: 6/21/2009 11:53:00 AM

From Commander, Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

USS GETTYSBURG, At Sea (NNS) -- Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 and the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), the task force's flagship, recently completed a four-day port visit to the Republic of Seychelles.

During the visit, Turkish Rear Adm. Caner Bener, commander, CTF 151, and Capt. Richard Brown, Gettysburg's commanding officer, made a visit to the Seychelles People's Defense Forces' (SPDF) Chief of Staff, Col. Clifford Roseline, where they discussed the importance of counterpiracy operations, information sharing and the nation's strategic importance in helping prevent and deter acts of piracy.

"Because of Seychelles' location, it has an important role to play in combating piracy," said Bener. "They recognize their strategic importance and the negative impacts piracy has not only on their nation, but on nations worldwide. They've stepped up to the challenge and pirates are facing tough logistical conditions as a result."

CTF 151 Chief of Staff Turkish Capt. Faruk Dogan also made office calls to the commander of the Seychelles Coast Guard, Col. D. Gertrude and the Indian warship INS Trishul, which was in Victoria for a port visit to the island nation.

"Coordination and deconfliction is key to our success as a counterpiracy task force," said Dogan. "There's a great deal of water we need to protect and patrol and being able to coordinate our efforts allows us and the rest of the international naval community to do that efficiently and effectively."

CTF 151 is a Turkish-led, multinational task force established to conduct counterpiracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the Combined Maritime Forces 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.