Combined Task Force 151

Combined Task Force 151 or CTF-151 or Combined Task Force One Five One is a multinational naval task force, set up in 2009 as a response to piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia. Its mission is to disrupt piracy and armed robbery at sea and to engage with regional and other partners to build capacity and improve relevant capabilities in order to protect global maritime commerce and secure freedom of navigation. It operates in conjunction with the EU's Operation Atalanta and NATO's Operation Ocean Shield.

the task force consists of six ships from Australia, Pakistan, South Korea, Turkey, the UK and the USA under the command of Commodore Jeremy Blunden RN based on RFA Fort Victoria. Pirate attacks in the area have declined from "over 170" in 2010 to "a handful" in 2013.

Formation
Between 2002 and 2004, a first naval coalition in charge of fighting terrorism in the area was dubbed Task Force 151.

On January 8, 2009, at the United States Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, Vice Admiral William E. Gortney, USN, announced the formation of CTF-151 to combat the piracy threat off Somalia, with Rear Admiral Terence E. McKnight in command. The USS San Antonio (LPD-17) was designated as the first flagship of Combined Task Force 151, serving as an afloat forward staging base (AFSB) for the following force elements:


 * 14-member U.S. Navy visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team.
 * One of the United States Coast Guard 8-member Law Enforcement Detachments(LEDETs): Law Enforcement Detachment 405.
 * Scout Sniper Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit cross-decked from the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7).
 * 3rd platoon of the 26 MEU 'Golf' Infantry Company, a military police detachment, and intelligence personnel.
 * Fleet Surgical Team 8 with level-two surgical capability to deal with trauma, surgical, critical care and medical evacuation needs.
 * Approximately 75 Marines with six AH-1 SuperCobra (AH-1Ws) and two UH-1N Huey helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 (HMM-264) of the 26th MEU cross-decked from the USS Iwo Jima.
 * Three HH-60H helicopters from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 3 (HS-3) cross-decked from the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

Initially, CTF-151 consisted of the San Antonio, USS Mahan (DDG-72), and HMS Portland (F79), with additional warships expected to join this force. Twenty countries were expected to contribute to the force, including Republic of Korea, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, all of which have already pledged participation.

On April 5, 2009, United States Rear Admiral Michelle J. Howard, assumed command of CTF-151 and Expeditionary Strike Group 2. On the 29 May, the Australian Government pledged its support, re-tasking the frigate HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152) from duties in the Persian Gulf to the task force, as well as pledging Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

Commanders

 * Commodore Jeremy Blunden LVO, Royal Navy
 * Commodore Mohammad Ihsan Qadir, PN
 * Rear Admiral Giam Hock Koon, RSN
 * Commodore Muhammad Hisham, PN
 * Rear Admiral Kaleem Shaukat, PN
 * Rear Admiral Harris Chan, RSN
 * Commodore Abdul Aleem, PN
 * Rear Admiral Sinan ERTUĞRUL, TN
 * Rear Admiral Lee Beom-rim, ROKN
 * Rear Admiral Bernard Miranda, RSN
 * Rear Admiral Terence E. McKnight, USN
 * Rear Admiral Michelle J. Howard, USN
 * Rear Admiral Caner Bener, TN
 * Rear Admiral Scott E. Sanders, USN
 * Capt. Jim Gilmour, RNZN