French Navy Rear Adm Jean L Kerignard relieved Pakistani Cdre Khan Hasham Bin Saddique as Commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 during a change of command ceremony aboard Pakistan Naval Ship Tippu Sultan (D 186), on Monday, says a press release.
The ceremony concluded the Pakistan Navy's second successful command of CTF 150, which conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, the release said.
Under Hasham's leadership, CTF 150 co-ordinated patrols throughout their area of operations (AOO) to help commercial shipping and fishing operate safely and freely in the region. Additionally, CTF 150 Coalition ships made 11 successful at-sea rescues and made the largest drug bust in the CTF 150 AOO since 2005. "CTF 150 has been active in helping mariners in peril and has saved many lives on various occasions," said Hasham.
Guest speaker Vice Adm Kevin J Cosgriff, Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, praised the effectiveness of CTF 150 as well as the accomplishments of Hasham and his staff. "The Coalition is more cognisant and better prepared for the future because of Hasham's strong leadership," he said. "We are all in debt for his insight, direction and spirit while he led CTF 150," Cosgriff added.
Hasham said CTF 150 has come a long way since its inception. "It is a coherent force that is able to respond effectively to the challenges it faces," he added. He said: "The command is indeed a manifestation of the Pakistan Navy's continued commitment to support Coalition efforts to maintain peace and lawful maritime order at sea. We feel proud for having contributed wholeheartedly, and to the best of our abilities, to advance the cause of maritime security in areas that are undoubtedly most important for the economic prosperity and well being of the world."
Kerignard plans to ensure the Coalition continues its united vision of promoting stability in the maritime environment. "We will go forth with making this region a safer place, and we will succeed," he said. "It will take time, passion and perseverance."
Cosgriff said he looks forward to working with Kerignard in the Coalition. "I am confident that under Kerignard's leadership, Coalition operations will be dynamic, persistent and effective," he added. He also highlighted the continuity a change of command ceremony exhibits. "It demonstrates the fact that nations can come together and collaborate to hand over responsibility from one to another," he said. "It's tangible evidence of the sustaining feature in the Coalition."
MSO help set the conditions for security, which promotes stability in the maritime environment, and complements counter-terrorism efforts in regional nations' littoral waters. Coalition forces also conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region, the release said.
CTF 150, established toward the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, is comprised of warships from numerous Coalition nations, including France, Germany, Pakistan, United Kingdom and the US.-PR
Comments
Comments are closed.