Combined Maritime Forces
Naval ships from Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United States took part in an exercise led by Pakistan Navy Commodore Sajid Mahmood, commander of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150).
In November 2014, Royal Saudi Naval Force ship HMS Yanbu, Yemeni Coast Guard boat YCG Sana’a and the United States’ USS Dewey participated in a multinational maritime anti-terrorism operation named Taawun al Behr, meaning Cooperation at Sea. All units were under the command of CTF-150, based at Combined Maritime Forces headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. Commodore Mahmood expressed satisfaction with the planning, coordination and successful execution of the operation that had been one of his primary objectives since taking over command of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) task force in August 2014.
Conducted in the rough waters of the Gulf of Aden, the exercise aimed to develop cooperation and build anti-terrorism capacity in the region. Over the course of the exercise, officers from Saudi Arabia and Yemen spent time onboard the American ship to help improve interoperability and understanding of maritime counterterrorism operations.
Naval operations such as small boat interdiction drills, search and rescue at sea, helicopter operations and ship maneuvers were all conducted during Taawun al Behr.
On successful completion of the daylong exercise, Commodore Mahmood said he appreciated the efforts of all participants.
“Focused Operation Taawun al Behr provided an excellent opportunity for the Yemeni Navy and Coast Guard to enhance and prove their maritime skills while operating in coordination with the Royal Saudi Naval Force and the U.S. Navy,” Mahmood said. “I am happy that the Pakistan-led CTF-150 contributed by staging this focused operation.”