Maritime Security Operations

Commanded by Vice Adm. William E. Gortney COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/CMF
Assisted by Deputy CMF Royal Navy Commodore Tim Lowe and Deputy Commander COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT Rear Adm. Thomas A. Cropper
Comprised of four principle task forces: CTF 150, CTF 151, CTF 152 and CTF IM.
Includes approximately three dozen ships from Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, Canada, Denmark, the U.S. and U.K., as well as other naval forces and personnel from several other nations.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) patrols 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.

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.
Under the training and leadership of CTF Iraqi Maritime (IM), Iraqi marines aboard ABOT and KAAOT are training with U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Mobile Security Detachment 27 in order to eventually assume responsibility for security.
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.
Various maritime security conferences and symposiums held throughout the area of responsibility, such as the Maritime Infrastructure Protection Symposium, in Bahrain Feb. 26-28, 2008.