Sri Lanka, Jan. 26 -- The Sri Lankan Navy assumed command of a multinational maritime training task force during a change-of-command ceremony in Bahrain, Jan. 26.

Egyptian Navy Commodore Haytham Khalil turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 to Sri Lankan Navy Commodore KMH Bettage.

This will be the first time a CTF is commanded by Sri Lanka, which joined the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in Nov. 2023.

During Khalil's tenure, CTF 154 established monthly Maritime Security Enhance Training sessions which focused on topics including, but not limited to, navigation and safety at sea, firefighting, public affairs, and pollution event crisis management. This is in addition to key partner engagements and working alongside other ...