TCG Büyükada Rejoins Operation Ocean Shield

TCG Büyükada in Operation Ocean Shiled. Photo: NATO MARCOM

According to NATO Maritime Command web site, Turkish corvette F-512 TCG Büyükada joined the NATO Counter Piracy Operation Ocean Shield for a second time.

TCG Büyükada is on a deployment to the Gulf Of Aden since January and she is expected to return to Turkey in 15 days. Previously in February she again joined the NATO task force for the Operation Ocean Shield.

This is the second counter piracy deployment of the Turkish corvette in the past two months. During her tour of duty, the ship will operate with recently joined Royal Australian Navy Oiler HMAS SUCCESS. TCG BUYUKADA will conduct regular counter piracy patrols in Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and provide support to NATO’s regional capacity building efforts in order to enhance interoperability and cooperation between the nations in the area. The ship will also conduct training with naval forces operating in the Indian Ocean.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Turkish Navy for its determined support to counter piracy and firm commitment to international maritime security,” said Commander NATO Allied Maritime Command, Vice Admiral Peter Hudson. “Multinational contributions are essential to defeating piracy in the region and strengthening the cooperation between naval forces. Wider support to this international mission brings us closer to eliminate the threat.”

Built by Istanbul Naval Shipyard under the Turkish National warship program, TCG BUYUKADA is a modern littoral combat warship with indigenous surface, air and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The 2400 ton, 99.5m long corvette is equipped with numerous weapons and systems and carries a helicopter and a crew of approximately 90 Sailors.

“During the course of our duty, we will expand on our experiences from the first deployment,” said the Commander of TCG BUYUKADA, Lieutenant Commander Ali Tuna BAYSAL. “As her commander, I am very pleased that TCG BUYUKADA has the opportunity to contribute again to addressing piracy in the region.”