USS Anzio Disrupts Pirate Activity

7/26/2011

From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

USS ANZIO, At Sea (NNS) -- Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) warship USS Anzio (CG 68), assigned as the CMF's counter-piracy mission Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 flagship, intercepted a skiff July 22, successfully disrupting the activities of a group suspected of attempting acts of piracy.

USS Anzio first heard of the suspected pirate activity after receiving a report from a merchant vessel that it had been attacked, including being fired upon, by suspected pirates in a skiff.

GULF OF ADEN (July 22, 2011) Members of a visit, board, search, and seizure team from the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68), in background, intercept a skiff containing a group of suspected pirates. Anzio is supporting Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, a multi-national, mission-based task force established by the Combined Maritime Forces in January 2009 to conduct counter-piracy operations in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin and Arabian Sea. This is the highest resolution file currently available. (Combined Maritime Forces photo/Released)

It was reported the suspected pirates were armed with a rocket propelled grenade launcher and AK-47 assault rifles, and the attack had been unsuccessful.

"This large merchant vessel avoided being pirated through adherence to 'best management practices' which is another reminder of how effective these practical precautions are," said Royal New Zealand Navy Capt. James Gilmour, commander, CTF 151.

After clarifying details of the attack with the merchant vessel, Anzio received orders to pursue the suspected pirate vessel and intercept it.

"It was very pleasing that this event resulted from a collaborative effort between CTF 151, NATO (TF 508), a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel and a Japanese Maritime Patrol Aircraft to locate and apprehend the suspected pirate vessel," said Gilmour. "This cooperation culminated in the suspected pirates disposing of weapons and equipment that could be used for further piracy attempts, with the remaining suspected pirate paraphernalia being disposed of when the vessel was intercepted by a CTF 151 warship," he added.

 

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