the Yemen coast guard. The Absalon, according to The New York Times report, "was deployed in the Gulf of Aden [in] September ['08] as part of an international effort to curb piracy."[14] part of Combined Task Force 150.InterdictionMain articles: Somali Civil War, War in Somalia (20062009), Piracy in Somalia and Battle of Ras KamboniThroughout 2006, the Somali Civil War continued to escalate. During this time, the task force conducted normal operations in the Indian Ocean. By early 2007 it became actively involved in providing a maritime cordon to prevent the escape of members of Al Qaeda suspected of being embedded within the ranks of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU).Open warfare broke out between Ethiopian and the ICU forces on 20 December 2006, but until 2 January 2007 there had been no request by the Ethiopian or Somali military for CTF-150 to take action.[15] On that day, the aim of the patrols shifted to "...stop SICC leaders or foreign militant supporters escaping".[16]On 4 January 2008 ships of the task force began performing Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) missions, boarding fishing boats (dhows) and oil tankers passing near the Somali coast.[17] US ships of Combined Task Force 150 include the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ramage and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Bunker Hill.[18] Commodore Bruce Williams of the Royal Navy led the task force at this time.[19]See alsoCombined Task Force 151Combined Task Force 158Operation Active EndeavourOperation AtalantaReferences "Dansk flade sat ind mod pirater - International" (in Danish). Jp.dk. 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2014-06-27. "Pakistani Admiral Takes Command of Regional Maritime Task Force". United States Navy. 24 April 2006. Archived from the original on 9 January 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2007. ddp news agency, Berlin - 5 May 2002 via nl.newsbank.com "Horn of Africa Group Meets with Regional Leaders". American Forces Press Service. 30 December 2002. Archived from the original on 30 December 2006. Retrieved 11 January 2007. "Forces Combine to Train at Sea". American Forces Press Service. 6 January 2003. Archived from the original on 10 January 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2007. "Coalition Warships Intercept Drug Smugglers". 8 June 2005. Archived from the original on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2007. "French Take Helm of Combined Task Force 150". 24 August 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2007. "Suspected Pirates Captured Off Somali Coast" (Press release). Headquarters, United States Central Command. 22 January 2006. Retrieved 15 December 2006. "Coalition Naval Assets Challenge Hijackers On South Korean Motor Vessel". United States Navy. 4 April 2006. Retrieved 11 January 2007. "Pakistan Navy Completes Term as Commander, Task Force 150". United States Navy. 26 August 2006. Retrieved 11 January 2007. "Combined Task Force 150 Thwarts Criminal Activities". cusnc.navy.mil. 22 September 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2008. "Denmark frees ten pirates." Politiken 23 September 2008 (Danish) "Somali pirates can end up in Denmark." Politiken 22 September 2008 (Danish) Danish Navy Rescues Suspected Pirates by Alan Cowell, The New York Times 12-6-08 "No request yet from Somali leaders for help in interdicting militants, 5th Fleet says". Stars & Stripes. 2 January 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2007. "Ethiopian troops to stay in Somalia weeks".