Vice Adm. Kevin M. Donegan, commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), speaks at the CMF Commander’s Conference onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
In his opening speech, at the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Commander’s Conference held in Bahrain, CMF Commander, Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, discussed the background behind the establishment of a “Maritime Security Transit Corridor” by CMF, as announced on 6th September.
Providing the background to the establishment of the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC), Admiral Donegan explained that there continues to be risk associated with transits through the Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb and the Southern Red Sea. The risk of piracy and attacks by small, high speed boats using small arms, rocket propelled grenades, and significant amounts of explosives remains. To date, these small boat attacks have been unsuccessful and the identity of the attackers remains unclear. However, they demonstrate the continuing risks to the maritime community during passage through these waters.
It is important to note that these attacks can develop rapidly and having warships positioned for an effective response depends on information provided by the shipping community. In response to these threats, Combined Maritime Forces has been refocusing its naval presence when ships and aircraft are available.
Welcoming Senior National Representatives and delegates from CMF partner nations, together with other key regional maritime security stakeholders, Admiral Donegan said: “Beyond piracy and terrorism, the spillage of conflict in Yemen into the maritime and how it impacts traffic in the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab-el-Mandeb and the Red Sea is a concern.
“The nexus of these dynamic threats in a constrained area is why we recommend an expansion of not just our naval presence but our operations and how we do business between the area from the Bab-el-Mandeb to the Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor. No longer can that area between the Bab-el-Mandeb and start of the transit corridor be ignored.
“Under the leadership of my Deputy Commander, we’ve been working very hard with industry on options to improve the best military practices.
Royal Navy Commodore Steve Dainton, deputy commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), speaks at the CMF Commander’s Conference onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
“Our multi-national naval force in this area is aware of the threat of piracy and explosive laden boats. We are constantly reinforcing and posturing to best counter them. Combined Maritime Forces is fully engaged; we are not passively watching this.
“Together we have the right people, the right tools and the right resources. Our continuing commitment to work together for the mutual benefit of all links us and joins us together. And today is all about making those relationships stronger, closer and more effective.”
Royal Navy Commodore Steve Dainton, deputy commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), speaks at the CMF Commander’s Conference onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
Maritime security will always require a team effort. CMF will be working closely with regional military partners and the shipping industry to ensure the free flow of commerce. It will take CMF, along with its partners and wider stakeholders, working together, to be successful. CMF will continue to engage with key participants in the regional maritime security community as its increased focus on the MSTC area matures.
