Pakistan Takes Charge of CMF’s Counter-Piracy Task Force 151

Rear Admiral Rustu Sezer from the Turkish Navy has officially transferred the leadership of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 to Pakistan Navy Commodore Sohail Azmie. This change marks Türkiye’s seventh time at the command of the task force dedicated to counter-piracy operations.

During his leadership since July, Sezer oversaw a series of multinational naval exercises and routine maritime patrols in the Gulf of Aden, focusing on piracy suppression outside coastal states’ territorial waters. These operations were coordinated with the European Union Naval Force, strengthening international maritime collaboration.

Sezer expressed gratitude to contributing nations like Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Pakistan for their active involvement in counter-piracy efforts. “Our objective was not only to deter piracy but also to maintain effective coordination with regional partners,” he stated.

Vice Admiral George Wikoff, commander of Combined Maritime Forces, commended Sezer’s efforts in progressing CTF 151’s objectives. Wikoff emphasized the importance of disrupting illicit maritime activities and fostering cooperation among international stakeholders.

With Pakistan now leading CTF 151 for the eleventh time, Wikoff highlighted Commodore Azmie’s experience and Pakistan’s continued commitment to regional security. He noted Pakistan’s history of reliable leadership within the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Commodore Azmie described a “maritime cooperative continuum,” emphasizing the necessity of aligning with partners and allies for collective maritime security goals. His focus remains on collaboration with other nations and maritime organizations to achieve the missions of CMF and CTF 151.

CTF 151, established in January 2009, operates under the extensive CMF framework, collaborating with EU Naval Forces and independently deployed naval ships. The task forces under CMF work collectively to ensure maritime security across key international waters.

Headquartered in Bahrain, CMF represents the largest multinational naval partnership, encompassing 46 nations dedicated to maintaining the international rules-based order at sea, securing some of the world’s vital shipping routes.