Pakistan got the command of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150)

French Navy handed over command of multinational Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) to Pakistan Navy at a change of command ceremony held at Headquarters US NAVCENT, Bahrain. Rear Admiral Naveed Ahmed Rizvi of Pakistan Navy took over the command of CTF-150 from Rear Admiral Olivier Lebas of French Navy.

Combined Task Force 150 is one of the three Task Forces within the ambit of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). It is a Multinational Coalition for Counter Terrorism operations at sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) with the mission to promote Maritime Security at sea, deter, deny and disrupt acts of terrorism while countering related illicit activities at sea. The number of participating countries in CMF has risen to 31 over the period of time.

Prior to present Command tenure, Pakistan Navy had commanding CTF-150 for nine times and Multinational Combined Task Force 151 (Counter Piracy Task Force) eight times

CMF counters violent extremism and terrorist networks in maritime areas of responsibility; works with regional and other partners to improve overall security and stability; helps strengthen regional nations’ maritime capabilities and, when requested, responds to environmental and humanitarian crises.

Comprised of three task forces: CTF 150 (maritime security and counter-terrorism), CTF 151 (counter piracy) and CTF 152 (Arabian Gulf security and cooperation).

31 member nations: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands,  New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, The Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, United States and Yemen.

Commanded by a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, who also serves as Commander US Navy Central Command and US Navy Fifth Fleet. All three commands are co-located at US Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Deputy commander is a UK Royal Navy Commodore. Other senior staff roles at CMF headquarters are filled from personnel from member nations, including Australia, France, Italy and Denmark.

Participation is purely voluntary. No nation is asked to carry out any duty that it is unwilling to conduct. The contribution from each country varies depending on its ability to contribute assets and the availability of those assets at any given time.