SINGAPORE-LED CTF 151 INTERCEPTS PIRATE VESSEL

The Singapore-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 successfully intercepted a pirate skiff in the Gulf of Aden on 15 Jun. The vessel was first spotted by a Japanese Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) in the early afternoon of the same day carrying grappling hooks, ladders, numerous fuel tanks and five people.

The nearest warship in the vicinity - the USS Leyte Gulf - was immediately tasked by CTF 151 to investigate the skiff. As the United States missile cruiser approached the skiff, the five persons on board began to throw ladders and other pirate paraphernalia overboard and raised their arms to indicate that they were unarmed. After USS Leyte Gulf assessed that there was no more pirate paraphernalia on board the skiff and that it was no longer a pirate threat, the coalition action was terminated.

Commander CTF 151 Rear-Admiral (RADM) Harris Chan from the Republic of Singapore Navy praised the coalition effort and said: "The success of this operation shows the close working relationship between the different countries...with a common goal to fight against piracy."

The USS Leyte Gulf was able to act swiftly because of prompt intelligence provided by the Japanese MPRA through well-established communication links within CTF 151, said RADM Chan.

"We will continue in our relentless efforts to ensure the security of maritime commerce in this region," added RADM Chan.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has been deploying assets to the Gulf of Aden since April 2009. The SAF previously commanded CTF 151 from January to April 2010 and also deployed two Task Groups, each comprising a Landing Ship Tank and two helicopters from April to July 2009 and June to October 2010.

Currently, a Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from the SAF is in the Gulf of Aden to perform maritime air surveillance. It has been in the region since April 2011 and it is due to end its deployment in July 2011.