MANAMA, Bahrain, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Australia took command Thursday of the international naval force aimed at combating terrorism, piracy and smuggling in the Indian Ocean.
In a change of command ceremony in Bahrain, Rear Adm. Zafar Mahmood Abbasi of Pakistan turned over Combined Task Force 150 to Commodore Gregory Sammut of the Royal Australian Navy, the American Forces Press Service said. Abbasi assumed command of CTF 150 on April 15.
The task force is responsible for security at sea in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden.
The countries involved in the task force include Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Turkey and the United States.
Abbasi, who led CTF 150 through Pakistan's fourth period of command, called it "a coherent force that is able to respond effectively to the challenges it faces."
"Command of CTF-150 for the fourth time is a manifestation of the Pakistan navy's continued commitment to support coalition efforts to maintain peace and lawful maritime order at sea," he said.
