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The guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio has relieved USS Gettysburg as the flagship for the Bahrain-based Combined Task Force.
Gettysburg has participated in counter-piracy operations since early April. In less than three months, her crew conducted several boardings, captured 17 suspected pirates and confiscated more than a dozen assault rifles and a number of rocket-propelled grenade launchers, ladders and grappling hooks suspected in attacks on merchant vessels.
Gettysburg's visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team along with members of the US Coast Guard's Legal Detachment also captured the first and only pirate mothership taken by coalition forces.
"Gettysburg did an incredible job serving as our flagship from May 3 - June 28," said Turkish Navy Rear Adm Caner Bener, commander, CTF 151. "Whatever the situation, whether engaged in the boarding, or the safe and secure holding of suspected pirates for 28 days, Gettysburg undertook them all without any complaints. "The experience Gettysburg and her crew brought to our mission as flagship was a major key to our success in counter-piracy operations over the last couple of months. "Gettysburg and her crew made an immeasurable impact on keeping the sea lanes of communication safe. The ship's contributions to counter-piracy operations should serve as a model to all ships to follow." The multi-national task force has been established to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime commerce, enhance maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations.
