At sea, somewhere in the Gulf of Oman, ten warships supporting Operation Enduring Freedom met up to consider their next step in the ongoing operations in the Arabian Sea.

Seven of these ships are assigned to Task Force 150, which until the beginning of this month was under the command of Commodore Anthony Rix RN, and are tasked with patrolling an area in excess of two million square miles.

From the Red Sea to the Eastern Arabian Sea, and from the Somali Basin to the Straits of Hormuz – it all fell within the responsibility of Commodore Rix.

“The size of the operating area is significant”, says Cdre Rix, “but we have the ships, equipment and above all the determination to provide an effective operation throughout the area.”

And there should be no doubt as to the importance of the theatre. It is one of the busiest shipping areas in the world, where every type of vessel, from vast supertankers to small dhows, go about their business.

For almost two years a dozen nations have provided warships for Task Force 150’s operations.

Under UK command until June 1, when the French took over, traditional NATO allies, such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and United States, are joined by non-European allies from New Zealand and Pakistan.

Such a wide range of support has put a potent and diverse force of warships at the disposal of Cdre Rix.

“I have a highly capable and truly multi-national task force,” he said.

“We are also heavily supported by units from Japan and, although these remain firmly under the control of their national HQ, they provide support which is invaluable”.

The task force is also supported by myriad other assets: maritime patrol aircraft (MPAs) as well as ship-borne helicopters, which all contribute to the frigates and destroyers that formed the core of Cdre Rix’s force.

“Like the ships, these assets come from many countries worldwide – units from Australia, Spain, France and the United Kingdom work alongside those from the United States”.

The importance of these assets should not be underestimated. Shore-based MPAs increase the effectiveness of the ships, providing a clear, up-to-date maritime picture covering hundreds of miles ensuring the ships of TF150 are in the right place at the right time to intercept vessels of interest.

Despite the rendezvous of seven task force ships, which provided an invaluable opportunity for the commanding officers to discuss the ongoing operation, coalition forces were still active across the whole area.

One thousand miles away, in the Gulf Of Aden, Type 22 frigate HMS Cumberland remained on patrol, whilst even further away units of the French Charles De Gaulle Battlegroup patrolled the Red Sea.

“We have a vast number of units at our disposal”, explained Cdre Rix. “Even while coalition ships were involved in a regroup, there were many others on patrol. We never – nor will ever – reduce the pressure.”

Task Force 150 vessels are manned by about 2,000 officers and sailors from ten different nations, and Cdre Rix regularly visited the ships to meet the people under his command.

“The impression I have gained from the hundreds of people I’ve met – regardless of their nationality – is that they feel they are doing a worthwhile task in maintaining global security and are proud of their efforts.

“I am sure that they wouldn’t swap this for anything less exciting or rewarding.”