April 7, 2015
OTTAWA - Canada handed over command of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) to France yesterday at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain. This concludes the second time Canada has commanded one of the Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) multinational maritime forces in the greater Middle East region.
Commodore Brian Santarpia of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) relinquished command to Capitaine de vaisseau René-Jean Crignola of the Marine nationale during a formal change of command ceremony held on board the French Ship Var.
This deployment was part of Operation ARTEMIS, the CAF’s ongoing contribution to counter-terrorism and maritime security operations across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Western Indian Ocean. CTF-150 is one of three multinational naval forces operated by CMF. Through maritime security operations, capacity building activities and regional engagements, CTF-150’s activities deter and deny terrorist organizations from having the free use of the seas to conduct maritime attacks or to transport personnel, weapons or illicit contraband to fund their activities.
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