On 7th December 2011, Turkey took the command of the NATO’s Anti Piracy Task Force TF-508 with a ceremony in Djibouti.
Prior to this change of command NATO’s other permanent naval task force SNMG-1 was making up the TF-508. For the next six months the ships of SNMG-2 will be the anti piracy task force. Currently SNMG-2 is under Turkish command. F-491 TCG Giresun is the flag ship of SNMG-2.
One other Turkish frigate F-495 TCG Gediz is in the region as part of US led TF-151 right now.
According to NATO press release:
As the handover was completed, Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi Tosun stated “I am extremely proud to take over command of such a task force from my predecessor, Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi. I would like to thank Rear Admiral Mattesi and his distinguished staff for the excellent job they have done over the period of last six months. They can be really proud of having played a considerable part in contributing to the decline in pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden in recent months. We had a smooth operational handover and now we are ready to continue this important task as NATO’s counter piracy Task Force. Powerful and resolute units under my command will continue to fight against piracy with the same enthusiasm in order to safeguard the merchant community on behalf of NATO during the next six-month period. I wish Rear Admiral Mattesi and his staff a safe trip back home and to their loved ones.
I wish all the ships of TF-508 fair seas and following winds. Click here for the composition of TF-508.
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