MANAMA, Bahrain (Oct. 15, 2026) Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 from the Indian Navy during a change of command ceremony, presided over by U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander of CMF, Oct. 14.
Since Feb. 11, 2026, under the command of Indian Navy Commodore Milind Mokashi, CTF 154, a multinational maritime training task force, oversaw the training of more than 1,100 people from 39 countries, including representatives from universities, industry, international and maritime organizations.
“Commodore Mokashi and his team have every reason to be proud of what they achieved,” said Renshaw. “They took command during a challenging period but rather than slowing down, they increased the tempo of training and engagement well beyond the usual level. They brought partner nations and expertise together and strengthened the relationships that keep CMF strong and enable us to operate effectively. That is what CTF 154 is all about.”
Throughout its eight-month tenure, the task force held more than 20 specialist exchanges and professional engagements, delivered more than 7,800 hours of professional development, approved new training planning guidelines, produced a directory of training partners for future command teams and held its first exchange dedicated to training instructors. They also spearheaded several initiatives for the first time.
Operation Compass Rose 26-1 was held entirely online for the first time. It involved 137 participants, 11 observers and 21 facilitators from 25 partner nations and 13 organizations.
The task force also hosted a major CMF training exercise for the first time. Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 brought 276 participants from 27 countries to Kochi, India, and delivered about 3,800 training hours. It was CTF 154’s largest Maritime Development and Engagement Team activity since the task force was formed.
Most recently, CTF 154 coordinated the Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery (SPAR) 2026, the first exercise in its Tailored Series. The event involved 135 participants from 25 countries, and contributions from 19 organizations. The two-day symposium brought participants together specialists from the military, law enforcement, legal, information-sharing and shipping sectors to examine piracy and armed robbery at sea.
“When we assumed command in February, our aim was to keep training relevant, practical and connected to the wider CMF mission,” said Mokashi. “The circumstances around us changed but our responsibility to keep people connected and learning did not. Beyond the training activities and exercises, we leave behind professional relationships and a foundation that future teams can build upon.”
New CMF training partners include the International Maritime Law Institute, Australian Maritime Border Command, World Maritime University and the Baltic and International Maritime Council.
CTF 154 was established May 2023, and is one of five operational task forces under Combined Maritime Forces. CMF’s other task forces include CTF 150, which focuses on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean; CTF 151, which leads regional counter-piracy efforts; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; and CTF 153, dedicated to capacity building and maritime security in the Red Sea.
CMF headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world, with 47 nations committed to upholding the international rules-based order at sea. It promotes security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
