The change of command ceremony was held on February 11, 2026 at the CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. The event was presided over by Vice Admiral Curt A Renshaw, Commander of CMF, US NAVCENT and US Fifth Fleet, in the presence of senior military leaders from member nations.
Commodore Milind M. Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, formally took over as Commander of CTF 154 from his Italian Navy counterpart. Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, attended the ceremony, highlighting the importance India attaches to the assignment.
What is CTF 154?
CTF 154 was established in May 2023 as a dedicated multinational training and capacity-building task force under the CMF framework. Unlike operational task forces focused directly on counter-piracy or maritime interdiction, CTF 154 is specifically designed to enhance the professional capabilities of partner navies and maritime agencies.
The Combined Maritime Forces is a 47-nation coalition headquartered in Bahrain, working collectively to uphold maritime security and ensure freedom of navigation in international waters. India’s assumption of command reflects the trust placed in its operational expertise and leadership.
Focus on Training and Capacity Building
CTF 154’s mandate revolves around structured training initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime security capabilities across member states. The task force focuses on five core pillars: Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development.
Through regular Maritime Security Enhancement Training (MSET) programmes, as well as exercises such as Compass Rose and Northern and Southern Readiness, CTF 154 works to build coordinated responses to common maritime threats. These include illegal trafficking, piracy, irregular migration and other transnational challenges.
By assuming command, the Indian Navy is expected to shape high-impact training agendas and further deepen interoperability among partner nations. The move also strengthens India’s profile as a Preferred Security Partner in the region.
Part of a Larger Maritime Framework
CTF 154 operates alongside other CMF task forces, including 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). Together, these formations cover vast and strategically vital sea lanes.
The Indian Navy’s leadership role in CTF 154 complements its active participation in multinational exercises and humanitarian assistance missions. It also aligns with India’s broader maritime vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Strategic Significance
India’s command of CTF 154 comes at a time when maritime security has become increasingly central to global stability and economic prosperity. Sea lanes across the Middle East and Indian Ocean Region carry significant volumes of global trade and energy supplies.
By leading a key multinational training task force, the Indian Navy reinforces its commitment to peace, prosperity and secure maritime commons. The tenure is expected to further strengthen professional partnerships, improve operational readiness among member states and contribute to a rules-based maritime order.
The development marks another step in India’s steady rise as a responsible maritime power with growing influence in multilateral security frameworks.
