The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) maritime security training task force, Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, coordinated exercise Northern Readiness from 24 to 28 Sept. In collaboration with the Royal Jordanian Navy (RJN) this was their latest international training exercise which took place in Aqaba, Jordan.

More than 30 CMF facilitators from eight nations led training courses on maritime awareness, law, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), search and rescue, medical evacuations, seamanship development, public affairs, and leadership development.

Captain Oliver Herion, Commander CTF 154, was delighted to have so many partner nations present at the training event and remarked, “We are so grateful to the RJN for being an amazing host for Northern Readiness. As CMF and partner nations regularly share knowledge and experience, we see great improvements in maritime security operations, tactical and technical maneuvers as well as conducting coordinated activities to the highest level”. Continuing Herion added “This is now the fourth focused training event since the first took place a year ago in Seychelles. Working together and collaborating on an international scale reflects how far we have come in achieving our goals. All facilitators and participants did a tremendous job. We are ready for self, for team, for service, for nation and coalition – better and stronger together”.

At the closing ceremony, Colonel Hisham K. Aljarrah, RJN, remarked,  “All participating nations are now more capable of working together in making the high seas safer for everyone. We will become a more unified group like we saw this week, and will allow our Naval Forces to operate when needed, when required, wherever required, as one team.”

CTF 154 is already planning future training evolutions and is always looking for new opportunities to enhance cooperation and collaboration with like-minded nations.

CMF consists of 38 partner nations whose forces operate in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean. These nations are united in upholding international rules-based order to protect the free flow of commerce, ensure regional maritime security, and deter illicit activity by non-state actors.

CMF launched Combined Task Force 154 four months ago to organize multinational maritime training opportunities at locations across the Middle East, enabling more CMF partner nations to participate in training opportunities without ships or aircraft, particularly during courses taught ashore.