MANAMA, Bahrain–Commodore Dan Charlebois of the Royal Canadian Navy turned over command of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) to Capt. Brendon Clark of the Royal New Zealand Navy in a ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, July 15.

CTF-150 is a multinational naval partnership aimed at disrupting terrorist organizations from conducting operations or moving weapons, personnel, or income-generating narcotics and charcoal in the maritime domain of the Arabian Gulf.

The ceremony marked the end of a highly successful tour for Charlebois and the Royal Canadian Navy since taking command of the task force in January, 2020. During that time, CTF-150 interdicted 55,605 kg of illicit narcotics, worth an estimated $160 million.

Commodore Edward Ahlgren, Deputy Commander CMF, congratulated Charlebois and his crew for their success.

“That’s $160 million that will never enter into the pockets of malign forces. Success is never an accident. This kind of success is proof of the hard work, teamwork, and leadership of CTF-150,” he said.

Charlebois credited the success to the combined efforts of all 34 nations who contribute to CMF and CTF-150.

“The true strength of this coalition lies in our shared interest in maritime security and our ability to collaborate in order to achieve common goals,” he said. “I wish our Royal New Zealand Navy partners great success as they assume command of this important mission.”

On assuming command, Clark said he looked forward to continuing CTF-150’s momentum, and building on the strength of its international security partnership.

“It is an honor and privilege to assume Command of Combined Task Force 150, he said. “A diverse and multi-national staff with different thoughts, beliefs, approaches and culture truly embodies the values of a combined maritime force.”