The Pakistan Navy on Thursday said it has assumed the command ofmultinational combined task force 151 (CTF-151) for the ninth time.

The formal change of command ceremony was held at the headquarters of theCombined Maritime Forces (CMF) in Bahrain, where Commodore Abdul Munib tookover the command from Rear Admiral (LH) Nejat Inanir of the Turkish Navy, anavy statement said.

Addressing the participants, Munib said his team is fully geared up toshoulder this significant responsibility.

He lauded Inanir and his team for their dedicated efforts to achieve setobjectives during the tenure of command.

Munib reaffirmed his resolve to continue with the same spirit and furtherhighlighted the strong relationship between the Pakistan Navy and the CMFin the pursuit of their common objective for a secure maritime order in theregion.

CTF-151 is one of the three Combined Task Forces operating under CommanderCMF. Its mission is to suppress piracy in the Horn of Africa, the Gulf ofAden, and adjoining ocean space under CMF.

Pakistan Navy has the distinction of commanding CTF-151 on eight occasionsin the past.

The ceremony was attended by Turkish Ambassador to Bahrain KemalDemirciler, Pakistani Ambassador Afzaal Mahmood, Vice Admiral of the USNavy Samuel J Paparo, Commander of Royal Bahrain Naval Force Rear AdmiralMohammad Yousif Al Asam, and other senior diplomats and Navalofficers.​​​​​​​