PH Navy turns over anti-piracy task force command to Brazil

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2024): PH Navy turns over anti-piracy task force command to Brazil (By Priam Nepomuceno)

JOB WELL DONE. Philippine Navy (PN) Capt. Mateo Carido (left) turns over the command of the Combined Task Force (CTF)-151 to Brazil's Rear Adm. Braz de Souza (right) in simple rites at a base of the United States Navy in Manama, Bahrain on Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2024). The CTF is one of the operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces, which promotes security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Navy)

MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) formally turned over the command of the multinational counter-piracy task force to the Brazilian Navy.

In a statement Wednesday, the PN said Capt. Mateo Carido turned over his duties and responsibilities as commander of the Combined Task Force (CTF)-151 to Brazil's Rear Adm. Braz de Souza in simple rites at a base of the United States Navy in Manama, Bahrain on Tuesday.

Carido and six other PN officers took over the command of the CTF-151 from the Republic of Korea Navy on Aug. 21, 2023.

"They were supported by officers and enlisted personnel from different Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) member countries like Australia, Brazil, Bahrain, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, South Korea, Spain, Singapore, Thailand, and Türkiye," the PN said.

CTF 151 is one of five operational task forces under CMF, a multi-national naval partnership of 39 nations, which promotes security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

CMF deputy commander, Commodore Mark Anderson of the UK Royal Navy, who led the turnover rites, acknowledged and lauded the accomplishments of the PN-led CTF 151 whose tenure has been marked with achievements and outstanding contributions to the CMF.

“Captain Carido, you have led an exceptional task force staff with utmost dedication. Your team has served with great professionalism and skill in enhancing key relationship(s) by strengthening ties with international organizations and the global shipping industry," Anderson said.

He also expressed his confidence that the incoming Brazilian Navy led CTF-151 would contribute significantly to the accomplishment of the CMF mission.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217523