Seven Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel begin Operation ARTEMIS this week as part of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) in Bahrain.

The Canadian contingent will remain in position until April 2016 under the Australian Defence Force, which assumed command of CTF-150 today.

This deployment represents Canada’s most recent contribution to Operation ARTEMIS, the CAF’s ongoing contribution to counter-terrorism and maritime security operations across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Oman.
 
The CAF contribution consists of five officers and two non-commissioned members of the Royal Canadian Navy, including Captain (Navy) William Quinn, who will act as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of CTF-150. The other members will work in planning, logistics, and as watch-keepers.

“I am honoured to be selected to lead the Canadian contingent of Operation ARTEMIS," said Captain (Navy) William Quinn, Commander Task Force Arabian Sea, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of CTF-150. "In this position, and as the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Combined Task Force 150, my role will be to support the Australian Commander in achieving success during the mission. The deployment of Canadian Armed Forces personnel demonstrates Canada’s commitment to working with allies and partners to strengthen peace and security in the international maritime domain.”
 
Through maritime security operations and regional engagements, Combined Task Force 150 works to deter and deny terrorist organizations from using merchant shipping lanes 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.

Command of Combined Task Force 150 is rotated between participant nations on a four- to six-month basis. The Australian Defence Force assumed command of CTF-150 today until April 2016, when it will hand command over to the United Kingdom.

“Participating in multi-national operations with like-minded nations such as Australia provides an opportunity for the Canadian Armed Forces to further enhance interoperability with our allies," said Lieutenant-General Stephen Bowes, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command. "I am proud of Canada’s long-standing contribution to global peace and security operations.”
 
Canada commanded Combined Task Force 150 from December 2014 to April 2015.