Military

Russian and Coalition Task Forces Discuss Counter-Piracy Operations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091207-04
Release Date: 12/7/2009 11:03:00 AM

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

ABOARD USS CHOSIN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Combined Task Force 151 commander met with his Russian counterpart Dec. 2 aboard USS Chosin (CG 65) to discuss counterpiracy efforts in the region.

Rear Adm. Scott Sanders, CTF 151 commander, and Capt. 1st Rank Evgeny Irza, commander of Russian Task Force 680, coordinated their counter-piracy mission during meetings.

Both task forces are operating in the Internationally Recognized Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden, which was established in 2008 to provide international shipping a safe route from piracy.

According to Sanders, the level of communication and teamwork among all of the nations conducting counter-piracy operations is improving.

"We've come a long way in our international cooperation and collective counter piracy efforts, to have a Russian combined task force commander come aboard a U.S. Navy cruiser and discuss counter piracy tactics. Part of our routine operations in the Gulf of Aden," said Sanders.

CTF 151 is synchronizing and deconflicting counter-piracy operations with more than 15 nations that have deployed naval forces off the coast of Somalia. The task force conducts counter piracy operations 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 operates as part of the Combined Maritime Forces, which is a coalition that conducts Maritime Security Operations throughout the Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea to help provide security and stability in the region.

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