Posted on 01/08/2009 3:34:17 PM PST by SandRat
MANAMA, Bahrain, Jan. 8, 2009 – A new multinational task force is focusing solely on counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, the commander of the combined maritime forces in the region said.
The force created the Maritime Security Patrol Area in the Gulf of Aden in August to support international efforts to combat piracy. Coalition efforts included Combined Task Force 150, which conducted maritime security operations -- such as the deterrence of drug smuggling and weapons trafficking.
"Some navies in our coalition did not have the authority to conduct counter-piracy missions," Navy Vice William E. Gortney said. "The establishment of [Combined Task Force] 151 will allow those nations to operate under the auspices of CTF 150, while allowing other nations to join CTF 151 to support our goal of deterring, disrupting and eventually bringing to justice the maritime criminals involved in piracy events."
Gortney commands U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.
Establishing Combined Task Force 151 to focus on the counter-piracy mission enables Combined Task Force 150 to remain focused on security operations, officials said.
The admiral cautioned that although the new task force is a positive step, the efforts of coalition and international navies won't solve the problem of piracy. Proactive measures by merchant mariners and efforts ashore by the international community also must be part of the equation, Gortney said.
"The most effective measures we've seen to defeat piracy are nonkinetic and defensive in nature,” he said. “The merchant ships have been doing a great job stepping up and utilizing these methods to defeat piracy attempts. That's a great first step.
“But the problem of piracy is and continues to be a problem that begins ashore and is an international problem that requires an international solution,” he continued. “We believe the establishment of CTF 151 is a significant step in the right direction."
Navy Rear Adm. Terence E. McKnight has been named the commander of the new task force, which will become fully operational in mid-January.
(From a Combined Maritime Forces news release.)
I’m glad to find that we are involved in this. I was commenting on that aspect earlier today, not too happy that it appeared we had decided not to take action in the area.
So am I. I wonder if the Chinese will join in and spit in the face of the UN if they are accused of being too brutal.
My honest underlying thought on it is this. China would love nothing more than to become the U.N.’s go to nation in matters like this. It would build prestige, something they value immensely.
The problem for us, is if China becomes the perfect companion of the U.N., fulfilling it’s deepest desires to the letter of the law. This would suit the U.N.’s plans to a tee also. Both would love nothing more than to neuter the U.S. globally, especially on the high seas. Cut that off, and you’ve cut of our global influence.
If China were to accomplish this, it would have lessened our ability to counter it, and it would be free to tell the U.N. to do just what we should have done long ago. Tell it to go to hell because it is not needed.
“The most effective measures we've seen to defeat piracy are nonkinetic and defensive in nature,” he said.
Notice how they appear to be defining the use of defensive lethal force out of the options available. One of the most effective things that they could do is to encourage the defensive arming of merchant ships to deter pirates. As the nations of the world want a monopoly on lethal force, it is highly unlikely that the U.N. will allow this.
I understand where you are coming from. One thing that does concern me, is if we allow private shipping to arm heavily, we’ve essentially give the pirates a defensible position should they commandeer one of these ships.
Small arms should be supported, but I’m not convinced more than that is a good idea.
One thing that I would do is make it clear that anyone caught in an act of piracy against a ship of commerce on the high seas would be executed on the spot.
You start lining these goons up and feeding the fish, I think we’ll see less of it. And if we find out who is driving it from onshore, they should receive the same fate.
One of the things that has caused this to escalate the to point that it has, is that we didn’t put a stop to it much sooner. This has been a problem for a while. And it got worse as it was allowed to continue. That’s pretty obvious, but it needs to be said. Next time I hope nations jump on it right away.
No act should be allowed to go unpunished.
I’m not opposed to a 50 cal. Beyond that, I do have reservations. Obviously AK-47s and some good sidearms would be wise too.
We need to seize some land for a naval base for the Anti-Pirate task force. the more nations involved— the better. I only fear Obama will cut back on the USN.
Well, we’ve been doing a pretty good job of slicing and dicing the Navy on our own. I do share your concern though. It would be a good idea to have a base in that region. Course I doubt Obambi will want to sign on to something like that.
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