Maintaining calm on the high seas

Maritime Security Operations (MSO) on the high seas of the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and Indian Ocean remains the top priority of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, a 15-nation coalition of naval forces, writes ASMA_SALMAN.

Australian Navy Commodore Richard Menhinick assumed command of CTF 150 in a ceremony at the Naval Support Activity in Juffair. He relieved Pakistan Navy Rear Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, who had commanded the coalition since July. This is the third time that the Pakistan Navy has commanded CTF 150. They will return in April 2010 to again take command of the task force.

Vice Adm Bill Gortney, Commander of Combined Maritime Forces, said: "Regional stability has been enhanced during Pakistan's tenure in command. Rear Admiral Zakaullah's achievements in engaging regional nations have left a stronger CTF 150 for Commodore Menhinick."

At the ceremony Rear Admiral Zakaullah - recipient of several military awards and distinctions - spoke about the challenges and explained: "Not only did we intercept drugs and avert a number of piracy attempts but more importantly we deterred terrorists and smugglers from using the maritime arena for their activities."

CTF 150 maintains a significant operational presence to deter and counter terrorist movements at sea. MSO of the task force helps develop security and stability in the region and seeks to disrupt the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons and other harmful materials.

This is the first time that Australia has been entrusted with command of CTF 150 although they have a proud tradition of contributing to operations in the Middle East, having had an almost continuous presence in the region since 1990.

Commodore Menhinick said: "We are excited and somewhat daunted at the challenges of enforcing maritime security in an area of operations of almost two million square miles."

Prior to his appointment as the Commander of CTF 150, Commodore Menhinick was serving as the director-general Navy Transformation and Innovation since November 2008 and was responsible for facilitating the New Generation Navy in Australia.

Commodore Menhinick is married to Michelle and has three children. He is a sports enthusiast and enjoys skiing, squash, golf, cricket, rugby union, rugby league and motor racing.