Operation Allied Protector was an anti-piracy military operation undertaken by NATO forces from March – August 2009 in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, and the Guardafui Channel to protect maritime routes from pirates within the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). It was the second NATO anti-piracy operation in area following Operation Allied Provider and was succeeded by Operation Ocean Shield.
From 24 March – June 2009, the operation was conducted by Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1). Commander SNMG 1 had the task designator Commander Task Force 410 for the operation. This was the first time that SNMG1, which had previously operated in the Eastern Atlantic, was deployed operationally East of Suez. From 29 June – August 2009, Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) took over responsibility from SNMG1.