'Extremely proud' Royal Navy takes over Gulf anti-piracy operations command to strike down 'maritime threats'
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British personnel are now in charge of a major anti-piracy operation in the Middle East.
The Royal Navy has assumed the leadership role of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 from Brazil today (February 23) - charged with directly suppressing ‘maritime threats’. Captain Jason Eacock has taken up command after it was turned over from Brazilian Navy Commodore Rear Admiral Marcelo Lancellotti.
“I’m extremely proud to assume command of CTF 151, today, and I look forward to the journey we will share together over the next six months of my tenure in command,” he said. “Together, we will continue to strengthen interoperability with the EUNAVFOR international partners, whilst embracing technological advances in un-crewed systems to improve our situational awareness and response times to maritime threats.”
What does the task force do?
CTF 151 was originally established in January 2009 in coordination with the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR). As stated on the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) website, its tasked with directly suppress piracy outside territorial waters of Coastal States. Members of the CMF include Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UK, USA, and several others globally.
Personnel will be tasked with patrolling the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor - the main shipping route through the Gulf of Aden where marine traffic head to the Suez Canal. Rear Adm Lancellotti assumed Brazil’s fourth command of CTF 151 in August 2025 to protect merchant shipping.
Operation Mare Liberum V saw personnel from 13 nations integrated into naval units, air assets, and maritime information-sharing centres. More than 380 maritime awareness calls were made across the West Indian Ocean.
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have previously targeted commercial vessels sailing through the Gulf of Aden, with the Royal Navy having to thwart them off with missiles and gun fire.
International forces had to respond to a dangerous situation in November 2025. Merchant tanker Hellas Aphrodite was attacked by pirates, with Japanese maritime patrol aircraft and the Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria rushing to the scene to stave off the attackers.
A total of 24 sailors were rescued after armed pirates off the coast of Somalia attacked the tanker, which was transporting oil from India to South Africa. Assailants opened fire with with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before boarding the vessel.
Vice Admiral Curt Renshaw said: “Hellas Aphrodite is exactly why we have Task Force 151, and why we have the connections we make. It’s a remarkable example of the unbreakable partnerships Brazil and Admiral Lancellotti have formed to enhance security on the high seas.
Rear Adm Lancellotti added: “I’m really proud of our teamwork. Together, we faced uncertainty, regional tensions and challenging situations, but despite all of this, we remained committed to our enduring mission, sustaining key efforts and contributing to safer seas.”
The Royal Navy regularly works with the CMF. Personnel have previously seized narcotics from ships sailing in the Middle East worth millions of pounds. This was the previous role of HMS Lancaster before she was decommissioned last year.