Multinational Maritime Component Command

A coalition staff that commands the maritime element of a multinational operation, integrating warships from several navies under one commander with agreed command authorities and rules of engagement. Examples include the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain, which runs the multinational task forces CTF-150, CTF-151, CTF-152, and CTF-153, and NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM). Participating nations retain national command of their ships while delegating operational or tactical control to the coalition commander for the assigned mission.