The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has assumed command of a multinational task force responsible for ensuring maritime security in the Red Sea and the western Gulf of Aden. This change of leadership took place on October 1 during a ceremony held in Bahrain.
Italian Navy Captain Roberto Messina handed over control of Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 to Royal Australian Navy Captain Jorge McKee. CTF 153, established in April 2022, is part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a coalition of 46 countries committed to maintaining security in some of the world’s most critical waterways. Under Messina’s command, the task force led Operation Prosperity Guardian, a key mission focused on protecting the freedom of navigation in this strategic region.
Captain Messina highlighted the importance of international cooperation during his tenure, collaborating with nations such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Djibouti, as well as organizations like the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM). These efforts strengthened relationships and enhanced security efforts in the region.
CTF 153’s mission remains focused on promoting stability and prosperity in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the western Gulf of Aden, key shipping routes that connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean and the Middle East. The CMF operates five task forces, each focused on different aspects of maritime security across the region.
