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Reserve Admiral Makes History, Takes Command of Combined Task Force

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090825-06
Release Date: 8/25/2009 3:49:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 change of command ceremony held Aug. 13 aboard the CTF 151 flagship USS Anzio (CG 68) in Manama, Bahrain, marked the end of one historic chapter and the start of another as a Reserve admiral took command.

Rear Adm. Scott Sanders relieved Turkish Navy Rear Adm. Caner Bener at the ceremony.

The ceremony concluded the first successful command of the counterpiracy task force by the Turkish Navy and marked the first time a Reservist has commanded a combined maritime forces (CMF) task force.

"Establishing and maintaining cooperative security in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin is the true key to success against piracy," said Sanders. "This is a great opportunity, not just for myself and the CTF 151 staff, but for the U.S. Navy, Royal Navy and our international naval partners. We look forward to continuing the exemplary achievements of Rear Admiral Bener and his team."

A 1980 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Sanders served on active duty as a naval aviator before his transition to the Navy Reserve in 1987. Sanders has served as vice commander of the Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) staff since April 2007.

Established in January 2009, CTF 151 is a multinational task force that conducts counterpiracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea and was established to deter piracy, create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment.

Since its beginning, CTF 151 and other cooperating naval forces have encountered 527 pirates, of which 282 were disarmed and released, 235 were disarmed and turned over for prosecution and 10 were killed. The pirates' ability to carry out attacks has been further impacted by the seizure or destruction of 40 pirate vessels and the confiscation of the their tools of trade, including 205 small arms, 43 rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), 91 RPG projectiles, 16 global positioning system devices and 36 phones.

"It's our duty as professional Sailors to keep the global waterways safe for trade," said Sanders. "But in the end, our mission is not just about commerce. We protect innocent people and mariners as they traverse the high seas. Securing the oceans can only be achieved through a coalition of concerned nations, the maritime industry and navies and coast guards working together."

In his civilian life, Sanders is vice president for Wyle Laboratories. His business unit supports the Joint Strike Fighter, E-2/C-2, F/A-18 and provides support for special programs. Sanders directs and manages support for nearly 500 Wyle employees across all facets of acquisition, engineering, flight test and financial support to sites in Florida, Maryland and Virginia.

The mission of the Navy Reserve is to provide mission-capable units and individuals to the Navy-Marine Corps team throughout the full range of operations from peace to war.

In today's environment, this mandate takes on added meaning and responsibilities as the Navy Reserve is called on to play an increasingly active role in the day-to-day planning and operational requirements of the active Navy.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.