U.S. Navy Captain Oliver Herrion handed over command of Joint Task Force (CTF) 154 to RJNF Captain Ayman Salem Al-Naimat. CTF 154 was established in May of this year and is one of five operational forces under the Combined Maritime Forces, a 38-nation multinational naval partnership that operates across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, including some promoting security, stability, and prosperity. One of the most important sea routes in the world.
During Herion’s tenure, CTF 154 completed nearly 30 training series across three major training events. Southern preparation in Seychelles and northern preparation in Jordan. This is in addition to collaboration with a number of key partners and with other maritime institutions such as the European Union Navy.
“As the CMF’s newest task force, we have begun preparing CTF 154 to provide maritime security enhancement training with our partners,” said Task Force 56, an expeditionary combat force under U.S. Navy Central Command. Mr. Hellion, who is also the commander of , said. “Through CTF 154, we are truly better, stronger, and ready to deter and counter unlawful acts by non-state actors.”
CTF 154 conducts multinational maritime exercises across the Middle East, allowing more CMF partner countries to participate in training opportunities that do not involve ships or aircraft, particularly during land-based courses. He organizes training events around five core areas: Maritime Awareness, Maritime Law, Maritime Interdiction, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development. Each training opportunity is tailored to meet partner requests from basic to advanced levels. CTF 154’s core staff consists of members from Canada, Egypt, Jordan, Seychelles, Turkiye, and the United States.
Al-Naimat recently completed a tour of the Royal Command and Staff College. He previously served as an intelligence officer in CTF 152 and a planning staff member in his CMF. He also served as a combat boat group commander.
“We look forward to continuing CTF 154’s mission and expanding intelligence sharing between partner nations,” Al-Naimat said. “Our shared mission among nations proves that no nation can accomplish it alone.”
The Joint Maritime Command, headquartered in Bahrain, is the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, with 38 nations working to maintain international rules-based order at sea, along with U.S. Navy Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet.
CMF’s other task forces include CTF 150, which focuses on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean; CTF 151 leads regional counter-piracy operations. CTF 152, specialized in maritime security in the Arabian Gulf. and CTF 153 in the Red Sea.