CMF Establish New Task Force for Maritime Security Training in the Middle East

Shafaq News/ The U.S.-led multinational partnership, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), established a new task force on May 22 to train partner navies and improve operational capabilities to enhance maritime security in the Middle East.

During a ceremony at U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, leaders commissioned Combined Task Force (CTF) 154. The new staff is CMF's fifth task force after standing up CTF 153 in April 2022 for maritime security in the Red Sea.

CTF 154 will lead multinational maritime training at locations across the Middle East, enabling more CMF partner nations to participate in training opportunities without ships or aircraft, particularly during courses facilitated ashore.

"Our navies are at their very best when we train, operate, and work together," said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and CMF. "Establishing CTF 154 demonstrates our deep commitment to strengthening and expanding partnerships through new training opportunities to enhance regional maritime security."

The new task force is commanded by a U.S. Navy captain who will build and lead a multinational staff. Another nation will assume command as early as this fall.

CMF partners will augment CTF 154's core staff during key training opportunities such as the task force's inaugural event, Compass Rose. CTF 154 is hosting Compass Rose this week in the Kingdom of Bahrain. More than 50 participants from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States began arriving Sunday to attend courses on first aid and vessel boarding procedures.

CTF 154 will frequently organize training events around five core areas: maritime awareness, maritime law, maritime interdiction, maritime rescue and assistance, and leadership development. Each training opportunity will be tailored to meet partner requests ranging from basic to advanced levels.

CMF is the world's most significant multinational naval partnership, with 38 nations committed to upholding the international rules-based order at sea.

CMF's other task forces include CTF 150, which focuses on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean; CTF 151, which leads regional counter-piracy efforts; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; and CTF 153 in the Red Sea.