Red Sea, the Italian Navy takes command of the task force

(ANSA) – ROME, APRIL 05 – The Italian Navy took command of Combined task force 153. The ceremony – as the US Central Command writes on X – took place in the headquarters of the Combined Maritime Forces (Cmf). The handover was between Italian Navy Captain Roberto Messina and US Navy Captain David Coles, who has commanded CTF 153 since November. It is the third time Italy has assumed command of the task force since the 42-nation maritime partnership was created in 2002. Established on 17 April 2022, CTF 153 is one of five task forces under CMF: it is responsible for operations maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and the western Gulf of Aden. “It is a true honor to hand over command to an incredibly strong maritime partner like Italy. I know the Task Force is in good hands and I look forward to celebrating the future achievements of CTF 153 under the leadership of Captain Messina” he said David Coles. Messina now leads a multinational staff of 35 people from 10 countries: “I look forward to working closely with partners – he declared – to ensure maritime safety and stability in this vital economic artery”. (HANDLE).