Combined Maritime Forces Mission

Combined Maritime Forces

Commanded by Vice Adm. Mark Fox
Royal Navy Commodore Simon Ancona is the Deputy Commander CMF
Comprised of three principle task forces: CTF 150, CTF 151 and CTF 152.
Includes approximately three dozen ships from Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, Canada, Denmark, Turkey, the U.S. and U.K., as well as other naval forces and personnel from several other nations.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) patrol more than 2.5 million square miles of international waters to conduct both integrated and coordinated operations with a common purpose: to increase the security and prosperity of the region by working together for a better future. CMF is working to defeat terrorism, prevent piracy, reduce illegal trafficking of people and drugs, and promote the maritime environment as a safe place for mariners with legitimate business.
CMF counters violent extremism and terrorist networks in maritime areas of responsibility; works with regional and other partners to improve overall security and stability; helps strengthen regional nations’ maritime capabilities and, when requested, responds to environmental and humanitarian crises.

Coalition and U.S. forces conduct MSO to help set the conditions for security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity.
MSO complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
CMF conducts MSO in international waters from the Strait of Hormuz to the Suez Canal, from Pakistan to Kenya.
MSO includes a full range of activities from assisting mariners in distress to Interaction Patrols to Visit, Board, Search and Seizure operations to engaging regional and coalition navies.

Coalition maritime forces and maritime forces from Iraq and Kuwait work together conducting MSO in the Khawr Abd Allah waterway.
Iraqi Navy patrol boats are participating fully in MSO and sector defense of the Iraqi oil terminals in the North Arabian Gulf.
Coalition Forces rescued 10 Iraqi marines in the Arabian Gulf after their vessel took on water, rescued stranded sailors off the coast of Oman and helped coordinate a medical evacuation of a Greek merchant vessel.
Large quantities of illegally smuggled drugs, alcohol and other paraphernalia seized.