Obangame Express 2015 Concludes in the Gulf of Guinea

 

Maritime forces from Gulf of Guinea nations, Europe, South America, and the United States and several regional and international organizations concluded the multinational maritime exercise, Obangame Express 2015, March 27.

Obangame Express, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), was designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.

Exercise Obangame Express, now in its fifth year, is one of four U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa-facilitated regional exercises. The exercise is part of a comprehensive strategy by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet and AFRICOM to provide collaborative opportunities amongst African forces and international partners that addresses maritime security concerns.

The exercise sought to leverage the Code of Conduct for West and Central Africa, which provides a regional framework for cooperation and information sharing.

The exercise lasted nine days and included a two-phase underway portion that encompassed a regional framework, and then transitioned to an emphasis on national patrols.

The Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs) exercised information sharing practices during the event.

Specific skill sets exercised included boarding techniques, search and rescue operations, medical casualty response, radio communication, and information management techniques.

“The maritime security challenges threaten global trade and the economies of the countries in the region, requiring collaborative effort to combat, stated Ghana Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur. "We have some examples of the impact of the collaborative efforts between local stakeholders and the sub-regional partners that confirm the value of partnership. It is for this reason I am calling on the participating navies especially those from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Economic Community of Central African State (ECCAS) to use this exercise as a foundation to enhance their cooperation to ensure a safe maritime security environment.”

Vice Adm. James Foggo, Commander, U.S. Navy 6th Fleet added, “I am confident that our forces will be able to work together more effectively to address regional challenges. More than that, as we have spent the last two weeks operating together, talking meaningfully with – and learning from – one another, what we have really done is improve our relationships. Now, when challenges arise, we can respond cohesively, collectively, and effectively, because we know each other, we’ve worked together, and we’ve built trust and friendships.”