Canadian Officer Takes Command of Anti-Terror Naval Force in Persian Gulf Region

A multinational naval task force that hunts for terrorists in waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula has installed Commodore Haydn Edmundson as commander, the Canadian Armed Forces announced in a press release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The news was issued following a change of command ceremony in Bahrain.

"Canada’s leadership role as part of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) is testament to our history of contributing to the security and stability in international waters of the Arabian Sea region," chief of the Canadian Joint Operations Command Lieutenant Gen. Stephen Bowes said in the release on Thursday.

CTF 150 works to deter and deny terrorist organizations from using the high seas for smuggling weapons, illicit cargo and narcotics, while ensuring the safe passage of merchant ships in some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, the release explained.

CTF 150 is one of three units in the 25-nation Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain, which operates under auspices of the US 5th Fleet.