United States Naval Forces Central Command - Combined Maritime Forces

Combined Maritime Forces

In February 2002 the Combined Maritime Forces was also established as an embedded activity to provide coordinated Coalition operations in the area of operations. It is an international naval partnership that provides security for civilian maritime traffic by conducting counter-piracy and counter-terrorism missions in the heavily-trafficked waters of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, including the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean.

CMF's personnel and ships are drawn from 26 nations and are organized into three principal task forces:

• Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) - Maritime Security & Counter-terrorism
• Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) - Counter-piracy
• Combined Task Force 152 (CTF-152) - Persian Gulf Security Cooperation

After the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, Commander, Task Force 150, previously a single-nation U.S. formation, was made into a multinational effort as Combined Task Force 150 (HOA MIO Force), and was given a renewed focus on maritime security and counter-terrorism. It was established on February 3, 2002, by Vice Admiral Charles W. Moore. Over time, it became increasingly involved in combating the rising incidence of piracy in Somalia.

Combined Task Force 151 was established in January 2009 by Vice Admiral William E. Gortney specifically to address counter-piracy operations.

Operating alongside CTF 151 and Operation Ocean Shield are other national deployments such as the People's Liberation Army Navy, most recently with CTF 526 aboard the Type 054 frigate Wenzhou.