Two Royal Navy Officers have joined a task group committed to fighting maritime crime in the Gulf.
Lieutenant Jon Maumy and Lieutenant Will Barrowclough are two of the 17 multi-national permanent staff working for Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 which carries out maritime security operations to track, stop, and build an understanding of illegal activity in the Gulf.
Working with colleagues from Kuwait, Jordan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain their mission is to deter criminals and terrorist activity and maintain regional security.
Originally a Merlin pilot – and recently qualifying as an Officer of the Watch – Lt Maumy is the planner for CTF 152.
He planned the latest security operation involving a Kuwait Navy Ship; four US Coast Guard Cutters; RFA Fort Victoria and Royal Navy Sea King helicopters.
Lt Maumy said: “Having to co-ordinate assets from different nations across the region and ensure they work together has its challenges, but it’ very rewarding when you know all your planning has come together.
“We had Kuwaiti and US Navy Ships working alongside each other, while our Royal Navy Sea Kings flew day and night from RFA Fort Victoria.”
Lieutenant Barrowclough, previously an Officer of the Watch in HMS Protector, is learning the ropes as the CTF Battle Watch Captain.
Colonel Mohammad Aleid the Commander of CTF-152, said: “By working together on a regular basis, CMF tactics, operations and procedures become increasingly familiar and clearly understood by all nations taking part.”
CTF 152, part of the 30 nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) organisation, conducts maritime security operations in the Gulf, engaging with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the wider maritime community to build capacity and increase interoperability in order to prevent terrorists and non-state actors using the maritime environment for illegal activities.
