European Union Counter Piracy Commodore visits CTF 151

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Corey Barker | U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Sanders, commander Combined Task Force 151 and Dutch Navy Commodore Pieter Bindt, commander of the European Union counter-piracy task force, discuss cooperation between their two task forces in the hopes of improving their ability to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy on the high seas. Established in January 2009, CTF 151 is a multinational task force established to conduct counter piracy operations throughout the Horn of Africa region in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation of all nations.  

ABOARD USS ANZIO, AT SEA

08.25.2009

Story by Lt.Cmdr. Corey Barker 

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

USS ANZIO, At Sea - The European Union counter-piracy task group commander, Dutch Navy Commodore Pieter Bindt, visited the Combined Task Force 151 flagship USS Anzio at sea to discuss counter piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

There are approximately 30 ships conducting counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia from 17 different nations as part of CTF 151, EU, NATO or as independent deployers. These naval forces have a common mission: to actively deter, disrupt and suppress acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia.

"Piracy is a threat to the security of all nations," said Rear Adm. Scott Sanders, commander, CTF 151. "We are committed to continuing operations with our naval counterparts to create a lawful maritime order and deter acts of piracy activity here."

The outbreak of piracy and its threat to commerce, regional security, and perhaps most importantly, freedom of navigation is something naval leaders are concerned about.

"All the naval forces here are fighting piracy because it affects global trade, energy transportation and stability in the entire region," said Bindt.

Coalition leaders find it key to coordinate and de-conflict with other navies in order to conduct successful counter-piracy operations in the region.

"Cooperation is paramount in restoring international confidence and safety of the sea-lanes off the coast of Somalia," said Sanders.

"What is amazing is a Japanese patrol aircraft detecting a suspect skiff, then a Dutch helicopter doing an interception and Norwegian fast boats conducting the actual boarding," said Bindt. "You can read about this, but when you see it actually happening, the level of cooperation is remarkable."

• Date Taken: 08.25.2009
• Date Posted: 08.25.2009 10:45
• Story ID: 37927
• Location: ABOARD USS ANZIO, AT SEA