Republic of Korea Navy assumes command of CTF 151

The Kuwait Naval Forces handed over command of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy after conducting a change of command ceremony at CMF Headquarters in Bahrain on June 20.

Kuwait Naval Forces took over command of CTF 151 in February of this year and during his tenure as commander of CTF 151, Captain Alajmi led a multinational staff of Kuwaiti, Australian, Bahraini, Brazilian, Omani, Japanese and American personnel.

The ROK Navy has commanded CTF 151 five times over the last ten years.

On assuming command, Rear Admiral Yu said: “As the old proverb says ‘Freedom is not free’. Therefore, as a new commander assuming the prestigious duty of Commander CTF 151, I pledge to devote myself to deterring piracy activity as well as maintaining peace and security that we have forged for the last decade.”

“This CTF 151 command led by the Republic of Korea is now fully prepared to step forward to the common goal as one team,” he added.

The principle mission of CTF 151 is to deter and disrupt piracy and armed robbery in the maritime environment. The task force engages with regional and other partners to build capacity and improve relevant capabilities.

In conjunction with forces from the European Union Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR) and other independent nations, CTF 151 helps patrol the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden, the Somali Basin, and the Maritime Security Transit Corridor, which encompasses the IRTC and extends it through the Bab Al Mandeb into the Southern Red Sea.