MANAMA, Bahrain, April 23 (UPI) -- A naval deployment from Singapore joined the multinational Combined Task Force 151 on Thursday off the Somali coast to support counter-piracy operations.
The Singapore landing ship RSS Persistence arrived Thursday in the Gulf of Aden to help the CTF 151 address the growing threat of piracy in the Horn of Africa region.
The Singapore Ministry of Defense deployed the RSS Persistence naval vessel April 9; 240 personnel are aboard the vessel, along with two Super Puma helicopters to support the CTF 151.
"Extensive international coordination is the key to maximizing the maritime counter-piracy mission," Rear Adm. Michelle Howard, CTF 151 commander, said in a statement.
"Having Singapore sailing alongside us will strengthen our ability to deter piracy and make the waterways safer for everyone."
