ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy has handed over the command of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) to the Brazilian Navy during a ceremony held at the Combined Maritime Forces headquarters in Bahrain.
Commodore Sohail Ahmad Azmie of Pakistan Navy handed over the Command to Rear Admiral Marcelo Lancellotti of the Brazilian Navy, said a news release issued by the Directorate General Public Relations of Pakistan Navy on Thursday.
The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral George Wikoff, Commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), at HQ CMF, Bahrain.
Since assuming command in January 2025, the Pakistan Navy has led the CTF-151 mission, built and maintained close partnerships with regional and international navies, especially the European Union Naval Forces’ Operation ATALANTA.
Coordination was demonstrated through joint patrols such as ENDURING RESOLVE and OCEAN WATCH. A highlight of the tenure was the successful execution of the focused operation SEA SPIRIT, during which CTF-151 brought together 13 Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) partner nations, naval assets from six countries, and eight Regional Coordination Centres.
PN successfully relinquished command of Combined Task Force 151. Cdre Sohail Ahmad Azmie of PN handed over Command to R/Adm Marcelo Lancellotti of Brazilian Navy. Ceremony was presided by V/Adm George Wikoff, Commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) at HQ CMF, Bahrain. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/aMf4aiWrv4
— DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) August 28, 2025
To advance CMF’s mission, Commodore Sohail Ahmad Azmie conducted a series of Key Leadership Engagements across the region, emphasising the vital role of cooperation in ensuring maritime security.
Reflecting on his tenure as Commander CTF-151, Commodore Azmie expressed gratitude to his team and international partners, particularly the Republic of Korea and Japan, for their unwavering support.
He also reaffirmed that the Pakistan Navy takes great pride in its active role within the CMF and remains firmly committed to strengthening regional maritime security.
The incoming Commander CTF 151, Rear Admiral Marcelo Lancellotti, expressed his gratitude to the Pakistan Navy and remarked that together with CMF nations, we will strengthen cooperation and ensure the safety of the maritime commons.
CTF 151 was established as a multinational task force in January 2009 and is one of five operational task forces under CMF.
In conjunction with the European Union Naval Force and together with independently deployed naval ships, CTF 151 helps to patrol the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor.
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including Ambassadors from Pakistan, Japan, Brazil, Deputy Head of Mission from Republic of Korea.
