The Combined Task Force-151 (CTF-151), a multinational organization established in 2009 in response to piracy assaults in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia, has seen the eleventh change of command, according to a statement released by the Pakistan Navy’s media arm on Thursday.

The goal of CTF-151 is to prevent armed robberies and piracy at sea while working with regional and other partners to enhance essential capabilities and create capacity to safeguard freedom of navigation and international maritime trade.

It works in tandem with Operation Ocean Shield by NATO and Operation Atalanta by the EU.

According to a statement from the Pakistani navy, the ceremony for the change of command took place at the Combined Maritime Forces Headquarters in Bahrain.
“The Pakistan Navy has appointed Commodore Sohail Ahmed Uzmi as the new Commander of Combined Task Force-151.”

Previously, the Turkish Navy held the command. Turkiye has led the CTF-151 force seven times, while Pakistan has held the command the most times, eleven times.

According to the statement, Uzmi stated that the Pakistan Navy would keep cooperating with other nations’ navy to promote regional peace and stability.

Every three to six months, the command of CTF 151 alternates amongst the participating countries. Bahrain, Brazil, Denmark, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, the Philippines, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States are among the nations that have spearheaded CTF 151. Various nations provide the task force with people, aircraft, and boats.