On June 19, 2019, Commodore Dean Bassett became the new Deputy Commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) at a ceremony in Bahrain.
Commodore Steve Dainton handed over the reins to Commodore Bassett after more than two years as Deputy Commander CMF (DCCMF) and United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander (UKMCC).
During his tenure he has seen many significant events including huge successes in the seizure and destruction of illegal narcotics, the containment of piracy and in maintaining the free flow of commerce throughout the region.
“This coalition of 33 separate nations all working together to protect the free flow of commerce through some of the world’s busiest strategic choke points – the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab Al Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal – is an amazing achievement and one which I am hugely proud of. CMF has managed to increase the number and quantity of illegal narcotic seizures during my tenure,” Commodore Dainton commented.
The coalition that makes up the CMF was established 18 years ago and has strong links with many nations throughout the region. Enhancing these links further through military relationships is a core responsibility of CMF and its multi-national partners. Continuing this cooperation and engagement helps to maintain the free flow of commerce.
Commodore Bassett, on taking up the role, said: “It is a great honour to become the Deputy Commander of CMF, a coalition of like-minded nations from around the world providing security and stability in the maritime environment… I look forward to working with CMF and wider regional partners as we work together to maintain freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in the region.”