DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 123/10
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Home coming for Middle East Combined Task Force Command
Group
After more than four months in command of Coalition Navy assets in the Middle
East, Commander Combined Task Force 150 (CTF150), Commodore Richard
Menhinick, CSC, RAN, and his 22 personnel Command Group were welcomed home
by family and friends today. Three of his personnel have remained in theatre for
varying additional lengths of time continuing the vital work.
Representing the Commander Australian Fleet, Commodore Stephen McDowall,
DSM, CSM, RAN, congratulated the group on their integral contribution in
supporting global efforts to curb terrorist activities and funding.
CTF150 conducts Maritime Security Operations southeast of the Strait of Hormuz, in
the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Since 2004, 24 nations have operated as part of this Coalition.
“This deployment has been very satisfying and rewarding. The hard work and
commitment of my Command Group, coupled with their high level of training
ensured a successful outcome,” said Commodore Menhinick.
“The high tempo of the operation is indicative in our achievements. During the
mission I commanded 38 warships from eight different nations, resulting in over 500
vessels being intercepted and queried. Boarding’s were carried out on an additional
140 vessels.”
“In support of the mission, aircraft from HMA Ships Stuart and Parramatta and
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles spent more than 1100 hours in flight with land based
Maritime Patrol Aircraft from six different nations, including Australia, flying an
additional 214 hours,” said Commodore Menhinick.
“The support provided by our family and friends has been the backbone of our
deployment. We are pleased to be home with them in time for ANZAC Day.”
Commander CTF 150 is one of the most senior Coalition naval positions in the region
and Commodore Menhinick was the first Royal Australian Navy officer to hold this
important Coalition position.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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