In a significant milestone, the Indian Navy has assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, a multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), marking the first time India has led the unit. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Updated On: 2026-02-12 03:30 PM IST
Compiled by : Divya Nair
The event was presided over by Vice Admiral Curt A Renshaw, Commander, CMF / US NAVCENT / US Fifth Fleet. Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS), Indian Navy, along with senior military leaders from other member nations, attended the ceremony
Commodore Milind M Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, of the Indian Navy formally took over as Commander CTF 154 from his Italian counterpart
CTF 154, established in May 2023, is dedicated to training and capacity building among member nations of the CMF. The task force aims to enhance maritime security through multinational training programmes across the Middle East and the wider region
The training focuses on five key pillars — Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development. CTF 154 conducts regular Maritime Security Enhancement Training (MSET) events, as well as exercises such as Compass Rose and Northern/Southern Readiness, to strengthen operational capabilities of partner nations against threats including illegal trafficking, piracy and irregular migration
The CMF currently comprises 47 member nations. CTF 154 operates alongside other CMF task forces — CTF 150 (Maritime Security), CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy), CTF 152 (Maritime Security in the Arabian Gulf) and CTF 153 (Maritime Security in the Red Sea).
