Combined Task Force (CTF) 151![120326-N-AZ513-076 MUSCAT, Oman (March 26, 2012) Royal Danish Navy Cdre. Aage Buur Jensen, middle, introduces Royal Thai Navy Rear Adm. Tanin Likitawong to U.S. Navy Lt. John Douglas, assigned to Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. Likitawong is scheduled to relieve Jensen's command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. The Royal Thai Navy has not held command of a Combined Maritime Forces CTF before, but has been involved in counter-piracy operations in the area. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Callahan/Released)](120702-N-OX597-001.jpg)
CTF 151 operates in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia covering an area of approximately 1.1 million square miles.
CTF 151 is a multinational task force established in January 2009 to conduct counterpiracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) area of responsibility to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations.
CTF 151 is presently commanded by the Thai Navy. It has previously been commanded by the Denmark Navy, Korean Navy, Pakistan Navy, Turkish Navy and U.S. Navy. The command staff is comprised of personnel from a number of coalition countries, and it manages daily operations from aboard RFA Fort Victoria.