On 21 August 2016, Japanese officers from Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 visited Operation Atalanta Flagship, HNLMS Tromp, for a meeting with the Force Commander, Commodore Luyckx.

CTF151 works closely with Op Atalanta. It is the counter-piracy task force of Combined Maritime Forces, Bahrain. Captain Minami, Commander of CTF151’s Escort Division 4, was accompanied on his visit by the Commanding Officers of two Japanese ships currently conducting counter-piracy operations in the region, JDS Suzutsuki and JDS Inazuma.

The Force Commander was pleased to host the visit and discuss future collaboration between Op Atalanta and CTF151. Continuing cooperation between the two Task Forces ensures military assets are used to best effect to deter and disrupt piracy off the Somali coast, keeping seafarers safe and maintaining maritime security.