Task Force 150 anti-piracy operations Commodore Per Bigum Christensen 25. January 2009

1. Task Force 150 anti-piracy operations Commodore Per Bigum Christensen 25. January 2009

2. Danish Task Group commanding Combined Task Force 150 15. September 2008 – 12. January 2009 o/b Flagship HDMS ABSALON Task Force 150 anti-piracy operations

3. Agenda • TF150 mission, priorities and geo strategic situation • “Thesis” • Characteristics of pirates and their tactics • Counter piracy tactics • Coordination with non-coalition naval forces • Recommendations to shipping • Conclusion and next step

4. Agenda • TF150 mission, priorities and geo strategic situation • “Thesis” • Characteristics of pirates and their tactics • Counter piracy tactics • Coordination with non-coalition naval forces • Recommendations to shipping • Conclusion and next step

5. CFMCC task organization CFMCC DCFMCC Supported Commanders Iraqi Maritime Northern Arabian Gulf CTF – 150 Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea CTF – 152 Central & Southern Arabian Gulf CTF – 151 Mission Specific – within CMF AOR Supporting Commanders CTF- 50 CSG CTF- 55 Patrol Boats CTF- 56 Ordnance Disposal CTF- 561 Special Operations CTF- 57 Maritime Patrol CTF- 59 CM CTF- 54 Submarines CTF- 51 ESG CTF- 53 Logistics CFMCC is a true Coalition: C2 spans all Coalition members and U.S. forces often operate under non-U.S. leadership

6. CTF 150 is to counter or defeat acts of violent extremism, aggression and associated terrorist networks in littoral and maritime TF 150 AOR. Work with regional, joint and other partners to improve overall security, stability and regional nations maritime capabilities. Be ready to respond to full range of crises, including environmental and humanitarian events UFN IOT achieve secure and stable maritime environment free from terroristactivity. TF 150 mission

7. Piracy • International problem that requires international solution • Ultimate solution is ashore in Somalia • Establish conditions that preclude criminal activity at sea and ashore • Stability, security, economic prosperity, governance, rule of law • Piracy is about money – no ties to terrorism – yet • Historical perspective in Somalia • < 1991 Piracy controlled by functional Coast Guard / Navy • 1991-1995 UNOSOM maintains maritime security • 1995-2000 Somali fishermen begin armed clashes with foreign fishing vessels • 2000-2004 Somali militias board / seize international fishing vessels • 2005-2007 Eastern clan seizes 31 vessels as far as 200nm from east coast Shipping lanes moved from 50nm to 200nm off coast • Aug 2008 Sharp spike in piracy in Gulf of Aden – northern clan

8. Geo Strategic Situation 1000 NM 1000 NM 27 regional nations (14 with coastline) 3 chokepoints 16.8 million km2 80% of global energy reserves Religious center for 1.5 billion Muslims 23.000 ships passing the Gulf of Aden 1000 NM

9. Traffic in Gulf of Aden (MAR 08)

10. Traffic in Gulf of Aden (JAN 09)

11. TF150 operations – 23 Sep BADR IROQUOIS MYS TG CHATHAM OAK HILL CDT BIROT ABSALON COURBET J LENTHALL VILLE DE QUEBEC HALSEY PVST ASSOCIATED SUPPORT TO CTF150 DIRECT SUPPORT TO CTF150 NATIONAL TASKING

12. TF150 operations – 17 Nov MVP KARLSRUHE TIPPU SULTAN MASON TG 432.01 HAMANA YUUDACHI KENT WAVE KN. CUMBERLAND NORTHUMBL. TABAR ABSALON NIVOSE COURBET NEUSTRASHIMY VAR AL DAMMAM DE LA PENNE VELLA GULF MAHAWANGSA PVST ASSOCIATED SUPPORT TO CTF 150 DIRECT SUPPORT TO CTF 150 NATIONAL/NATO TASKING DE RUYTER

13. TF150 operations – 18 Dec MVP KARLSRUHE TIPPU SULTAN MASON ARIAKE TOWADA DILIGENCE PORTLAND NORTHUMBL. WAVE KN. PSARA. YELNYA NEUSTRASHIMY SRI INDERA SAKTI MYSORE ABSALON NIVOSE JEAN DE VIENNE PRE M LHER ABHA GORKOVA GOKOVA PVST ASSOCIATED SUPPORT TO CTF 150 DIRECT SUPPORT TO CTF 150 NATIONAL TASKING EU

14. Agenda • TF150 mission, priorities and geo strategic situation • “Thesis” • Characteristics of pirates and their tactics • Counter piracy tactics • Coordination with non-coalition naval forces • Recommendations to shipping • Conclusion and next step

15. Thesis: A combination of international focus, naval forces intervention and improved self protections measures from merchant vessels is now keeping the piracy in Gulf of Aden at bay - maintaining a more safe but fragile situation from where medium to long term efforts can and must be implemented. Task Force 150 anti-piracy operations

16. Agenda • TF150 mission, priorities and geo strategic situation • “Thesis” • Characteristics of pirates and their tactics • Counter piracy tactics • Coordination with non-coalition naval forces • Recommendations to shipping • Conclusion and next step

17. Piracy activity 15 Sep. 2008 – 12 Jan. 2009 62 attacks of which 20 were successful!

18. Somalian pirates constitute a limited number of more experienced seamen and an unlimited number of “soldiers” – uneducated and unable to understand the situation Pirates are recruited from different small villages in Puntland/Somalia, mainly from fishing societies and with Xabo and Calulla as the origin of the piracy activities. Piracy team members normally know each others Combination of old and young men and boys Piracy characteristics and tactics

19. Some preparation and training are conducted. There is a standard for organising and equipping the teams, and they have a code of conduct. Discipline is high – punishment is severe. Direct connection between sea state and piracy activities (very little activity in sea state above 1.0 m) Pirates have become more determined, but not more violent Piracy characteristics and tactics More than 90% of all piracy incidents occur during day light hours.

20. Pirate leaders know they are “safe” when onboard and in control of M/V When met with with over-whelming force all pirates in small skiffs are willing to surrender. Only dhow mother ships have resisted apprehension Reappearance (repeat offenders) of pirates rarely observed Piracy characteristics and tactics

21. Pirates use different kinds of mother vessels to disguise their movements and for element of surprise. AIS-information is most likely utilized from the larger mother ships. Pirates coordinate their attacks. Cell phones Pirates leaders ashore or in larger mother ships are using spoofing/fake distress calls etc. Piracy characteristics and tactics • According to IMB: • Risk for attack 1:340 • Risk for being hijacked 1:907

22. Weapons and equipment used

23. Pirates Attack Multiple Times Overseas Hercules STX Ace 6 Ginga Saker 52NM 41NM

24. Agenda • TF150 mission, priorities and geo strategic situation • “Thesis” • Characteristics of pirates and their tactics • Counter piracy tactics • Coordination with non-coalition naval forces • Recommendations to shipping • Conclusion and next step

25. 04 NOV: ABS disarms 10 pirates. 20 OCT: ABS helo and rhib fires warning shots. Pirates looses skiffs, ladder and RPG. 13 DEC: MYS detains 12 pirates. 17 DEC: ABS disarms 9 pirates. 07 NOV: CMB disarms 8 pirates. 19 DEC: JDV disarms 7 pirates. 20 SEP: ABS disarms 10 pirates. DEU CTF October November December January 25 DEC: KAR foils attack and disarms 4 pirates. 03 NOV: ABS disarms 10 pirates. 02 OCT: BRT disarms 12 pirates. 04 DEC: ABS disarms 7 pirates. 17 SEP: ABS detains 10 pirates. 18 NOV: TAB destroys Ekawatnava 5. 01 JAN: LHR detains 8 pirates Piracy activity 02 JAN: MYS disarms 7 pirates 11 NOV: CMB disarms a total of 31 pirates in 2 incidents. CAN CTF September 04 JAN: JDV detains 19 pirates 02 JAN: ABS detains 5 and disarms 19 pirates 30 NOV: JDV disarms 4 pirates. 16 NOV: Update to Commanders guidance and intent for MSPA operations. Kinetic encounter Hijacking Failed Attack

26. Encountered pirates (1)

27. Encountered pirates (2) Of the 177 pirates encountered 063 were handed over to authorities 107 were released after disarming 002 died 005 are still in custody in TF150 unit No confirmed reappearance by any of the 177, but not all had their biometrics registered

28. Most effective efforts are provided by the M/V themselves, but the presence of naval forces is required in order to deal the problem. We must maintain a posture which undermine and remove the courage and willingness of the pirates. Piracy activity is obviously not deterred yet, however indications are that teams do not come back after a failed operation ending with apprehension After initial attempt or attack, pirates must be constantly tracked and suppressed by air assets, until warship can arrive on scene for disarming the pirates (weapons and ladders) Counter Piracy

29. The traffic corridor is only a temporary solution, but it enables naval forces to concentrate resources Naval forces are spread along the corridor, ready to react with helo, if attack or suspicious activity is observed by M/V Quick reporting by M/V is essential. (Use UKMTO or MARLO). Air surveillance is crucial to success Corridor should be moved south Convoy/escort operations are no solution. It does not remove the threat, it only helps the few, and there will never be naval forces enough to provide escort to all M/V or convoys Counter Piracy

30. Fishing areas in GOA

31. New Transit Corridor 100-150 merchant vessels in the corridor at any time The present corridor The new corridor

32. Agenda • TF150 mission, priorities and geo strategic situation • “Thesis” • Characteristics of pirates and their tactics • Counter piracy tactics • Coordination with non-coalition naval forces • Recommendations to shipping • Conclusion and next step

33. Co-ordination with Non coalition Forces Non coalition Naval Forces (ships only) • Dutch unit (1 unit Sep. – Nov. 2008) • Malaysian units (1-2 units since Sep. 2008) • Russian units (2-3 units since Oct. 2008) • Indian units (1 unit since Nov. 2008) • TG 169 (Chinese units) (2-3 units since Jan. 2009) • TF 432 (NATO force) (4-6 units Oct. – Dec. 2008) • TF 465 (EU Force) (3-4 units since Dec. 2008) • Additional US/UK/FR naval units under national control

34. Welcome paperwork – exchange of e-mail addresses Reference grid for area allocation HF/VHF/UHF COMPLAN including call sign allocation Air safety issues Staff visit – explaining about pattern of life CTF 150 visit to clarify mandate and rules of engagement At least twice daily exchange of SITREPs including area allocation for units, convoy schedules, and reports on any actual piracy activities Daily summery of all activities, intelligence information and assessments (classified, but releasable to all military forces) UKMTO and MARLO mailing lists including all naval forces. De facto succesful tactical coordination including tasking of units, aircraft and alert helicopters. Co-ordination with Non coalition Forces • Each force provider, however, has a national/political requirement to promote own presence (MAC, reporting centres, public medias)

35. Agenda • TF150 mission, priorities and geo strategic situation • “Thesis” • Characteristics of pirates and their tactics • Counter piracy tactics • Coordination with non-coalition naval forces • Recommendations to shipping • Conclusion and next step

36. Preparations for the transit • Consider professional protection team, and clarify company policy and flag state legal issues. • By appearance demonstrate willingness to defend yourself. • Prepare ship and crew. Protection team, safe room, fences, barbed wire, water hoses, flares, close and lock all hatches, train procedures. • Use the new corridor. Stay clear of the Somali eastcoast preferably 300 NM or more. • Continue to show navigation lights and transmit AIS. • Increase look outs, ensure quick internal warning and reporting. CTF 150 recommendations 1/2

37. CTF 150 recommendations 2/2 • Listen IMM VHF CH 16. Report any suspicious activity to call sign “Coalition Warship”. Use CH 8 as back up in case of jamming • Proceed with max. speed, and be prepared for quick evasive manouevres • Join other ships proceeding at equal speed for mutual support • Be alert and stay calm throughout. Piracy threats may appear from all directions – even from close to the Yemenite coast • Avoid areas with small fishing boats or skiffs. If necessary, leave the corridor until clear of fishing activity • Call “Coalition Warship”, if suffering from technical problems causing reduced speed

38. CTF 150 recommendations When under attack • Sound the general alarm in the ship. Execute evasive manoeuvres and other preplanned responses. • Make emergency call or mayday on IMM VHF CH 16 or CH 8. Give ships name, position and describe the situation. Listen carefully to the questions and directives from “Coalition warship/aircraft”. • If possible, proceed up into the sea at highest speed. • Report to UKMTO, MARLO or any other immediate point of contact (phone, e-mail) • If considered safe to do so, take photos or videos and post these immediately to UKMTO or MARLO.

39. Agenda • TF150 mission, priorities and geo strategic situation • “Thesis” • Characteristics of pirates and their tactics • Counter piracy tactics • Coordination with non-coalition naval forces • Recommendations to shipping • Conclusion and next step

40. Conclusion • Combined Maritime Forces / Navies and international organizations have taken actions: • Maritime Security Patrol Area and traffic corridor established • Vulnerable shipping and World Food Program provided escorts • Naval Forces assigned to deter, disrupt, capture, and destroy pirate equipment • Coordinate, de-conflict, share intelligence / information • Provide best practices to shipping industry • New UNSCRs passed, providing robust legal mandate for military actions, also ashore • These actions alone will not solve the problem • More aggressive naval actions will not succeed until other elements are in place • Expanding operations and further improve effectiveness requires coordinated tasking of naval assets from all nations present • Establish legal framework to hold pirates accountable. No incentive to capture pirates when countries are unwilling to adjudicate casesShipping industry must continue to follow recommended best practices • Shipping industry must embark armed security detachments or other effective self-protection measures • Improvement of conditions ashore in Somalia is the long term solution

41. Next step • Based on UNSCR 1816, 1838 & 1846 a new mission specific TF151 has been established by 12. January 2009 • TF 151 is actively to conduct counter piracy operations in the CMF battlespace to deter, disrupt and defeat piracy in order to protect global maritime commerce, enhance maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations • Will include TTW for those nations with agreements in place to enter them • NATO or EU (post-ATALANTA) could command TF 151

42. DNK CTF 150 Thank you