Chosin Takes Over Task Force Lead

December 02, 2009
By Matthew A. Hepburn
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Commander
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

ABOARD USS CHOSIN, At Sea (NNS) - USS Chosin (CG 65), home-ported in Pearl Harbor, assumed the role as flag-ship for the counter-piracy task force Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 Nov. 6 after arriving in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.

“We’re extremely well equipped to support this mission,” said Capt. Timothy Smith, commanding officer, USS Chosin. “An Aegis class Cruiser has an awful lot of capabilities to search and identify, perform command and control operations, collect intelligence and maintain communications related to counter piracy.”

Reflecting the capabilities Smith described, Chosin recently sighted a suspicious group of dhows, and within 10 minutes coordinated and intercepted with ITS Lebeccio, an Italian frigate. The two ships operated in close quarters and coordinated all operations to ensure the safety of the boarding team.

“There is an extraordinary level of communication and cooperation among all of the nations conducting counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden,” said Rear Adm. Scott Sanders, commander, CTF 151. “Because of our close cooperation with the European Union, NATO and independent navies, we’ve been able to prevent several suspected pirate attacks.”

The presence of coalition Navy vessels in the region demonstrates a commitment to regional security and stability. To continue to counter and deter piracy successfully, coalition efforts must be complimented by proactive measures by commercial shippers, regional governments and the international community.

CTF 151 was established in early January and has a mandate to deter and disrupt piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. CTF 151 currently includes naval forces from the United States, Spain, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Australia and Turkey.