U.S. Navy establishes anti-piracy command
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has established a unit to fight Somalian pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
U.S. Central Command has formed the Maritime Security Patrol Area, comprised of air and naval assets, to battle pirates from Somalia. MPSA has been augmented by warships from allied countries and operations would be directed by Combined Task Force-150.
"A force of coalition navy warships will patrol the area, and aircraft will fly in the airspace above," Centcom said.
The new U.S. navy unit was launched in August 2008. MPSA was said to have monitored, tracked and boarded suspected pirate ships.
Coalition ships are in the area as part of our continual presence in this region," Centcom said. "While they have conducted routine operations in the area in the past, the establishment of the MSPA will focus the efforts to counter destabilizing activities in the region and improve security while long-term initiatives mature."
Centcom said Canadian Navy Cmdr. Robert Davidson would command MPSA. The military said MSPA would support the International Maritime Organization, which has sought to prevent piracy.
"Coalition actions will give the IMO time to work international preventative efforts that will ultimately lead to a long-term solution," Centcom said.
The U.S. Navy has urged commercial vessels to consider deploying armed teams to block piracy off the coast of Somalia. On Sept. 21, pirates in speedboats captured a Greek vessel with a crew of 19.
U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet commander Vice Adm. Bill Gortney has urged the international shipping industry to assume greater responsibility for the protection of vessels from pirate attacks. Gortney said the Fifth Fleet does not have the resources to provide 24-hour protection for vessels that sail in the Gulf of Aden.
"They must take measures to defend their vessels and crews." Gortney said.