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India’s commitment to collaborative maritime security and capacity building in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond was reaffirmed as the Indian Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force 154, a key multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces.
The change of command ceremony took place on February 11, 2026, at 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, according to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Washington DC.
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, attended the ceremony along with senior military leaders from other member nations. Commodore Milind M. Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, formally assumed charge as Commander of CTF 154 from his Italian Navy predecessor.
“CTF 154 is specifically oriented towards training and capacity building of member nations of CMF. It reflects the region’s growing trust in India’s professional expertise, operational experience, and a role as a Preferred Security Partner among the 47 nations of the CMF,” the statement said. “CTF 154, established in May 2023, is dedicated to enhancing maritime security through multinational training programs across the Middle East and the wider region.”
According to the statement, the task force’s training initiatives are structured around five core pillars: Maritime Domain Awareness, Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development. CTF 154 conducts regular Maritime Security Enhancement Training events, as well as exercises such as Compass Rose and Northern and Southern Readiness. These efforts are aimed at strengthening partner nations’ operational capabilities to address common threats including “illegal trafficking, piracy, and irregular migration.”
CTF 154 operates alongside other CMF task forces, including CTF 150, focused on maritime security; CTF 151, dedicated to counter-piracy; CTF 152, responsible for maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; and CTF 153, which oversees maritime security in the Red Sea.
The Indian Navy expressed its intent to pursue a productive tenure at the helm of CTF 154, emphasizing high-impact training initiatives and continued collaboration to advance maritime security, regional stability, and global partnerships.
