User:Faunidhol/Operation Ocean Shield

Operation Ocean Shield (OOS) is a maritime operation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is conducted in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, and aims to safeguard merchant and other civilian traffic from the depredations of the pirates operating out of Somalia.

History
NATO’s efforts to deter and disrupt piracy off the coast of Somalia started in October 2008 with Operation Allied Provider, when the United Nations asked for protection of the World Food Program vessels in order to safely provide humanitarian aid to Somalia. NATO engagement in the struggle against Somali Piracy continued with Operation Allied Protector (March –August 2009) and finally with OOS since August 2009.

Operations
Operation Ocean Shield is conducted by Maritime Command Northwood (Northwood, UK). Tactically, operations are carried out by the forces assigned to NATOs two Standing NATO Maritime Groups (SNMGs), operating as Task Force 508