The Indian Navy concluded its first command of Combined Task Force 154 at a handover ceremony in Manama, Bahrain, on 14 October. Commodore Milind M. Mokashi relinquished responsibility after an eight-month tenure and transferred command to Commander Melissa Desjardins on behalf of Combined Maritime Forces headquarters.
CTF 154 is the multinational partnership's training task force. During the Indian-led period, it conducted 20 staff-development engagements, two large multinational exercises and the first Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery. The programme generated more than 7,800 training hours and involved personnel from 39 countries.
The task force also brought maritime security forces together with law-enforcement agencies, information-sharing organisations, legal specialists, technology providers and shipping-sector representatives. Its work included discussions on piracy risks, operational coordination and changing training requirements, as well as engagement with regional institutions.
India joined Combined Maritime Forces as an associate partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023. Taking command in February 2026 gave the Navy responsibility for coordinating a multinational training programme; it did not place all coalition operations under Indian control.
