U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, speaks with military leaders between panel discussions at the 2023 ChOD Conference. African Chiefs of Defense and senior military leaders from 43 countries met in Rome for the annual African Chiefs of Defense Conference held from February 27 to March 2, 2023.

240509-N-NS135-1302 (May 9, 2024) TAKORADI, Ghana – From left to right, military personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (Corps Mariniers) Reconnaissance Sniper Team pose for a photo at the conclusion of Obangame Express 2024 maritime interdiction training events at Ghana Western Naval Headquarters. American and Dutch trainers awarded completion certificates to personnel from the 10 nations participating in the training. During Exercise Obangame Express 2024, the 13th rendition of the exercise, partner and allied forces collaborate to enhance collective maritime law enforcement capabilities, bolster national and regional security in West Africa, and foster greater interoperability among U.S., African, and multinational partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adriones Johnson)

240509-N-NS135-1003 (May 9, 2024) TAKORADI, Ghana – Greek Navy Ens. Spyridon Papadakis from the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operations Training Centre (NMIOTC) gives Ghana Navy and Ghana Police Service personnel feedback after a maritime crime scene investigation drill during Obangame Express 2024 at Ghana Western Naval Headquarters. Papadakis is part of a two-man mobile training team from NMIOTC providing instruction on tactical combat casualty care and maritime interdiction. During Exercise Obangame Express 2024, the 13th rendition of the exercise, partner and allied forces collaborate to enhance collective maritime law enforcement capabilities, bolster national and regional security in West Africa, and foster greater interoperability among U.S., African, and multinational partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adriones Johnson)

240509-N-MY408-1133 (May 9, 2024) TAKORADI, Ghana – Ghana Navy and Sierra Leone Armed Forces personnel move in formation up a ladder on Cutter-class patrol ship GNS Anzone (P 30) while conducting a maritime interdiction and detention scenario at Obangame Express 2024 training events at Ghana Western Naval Headquarters. During Exercise Obangame Express 2024, the 13th rendition of the exercise, partner and allied forces collaborate to enhance collective maritime law enforcement capabilities, bolster national and regional security in West Africa, and foster greater interoperability among U.S., African, and multinational partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Daniel Ehrlich)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, the Adjutant General of North Carolina, and Gen. Paul Valentino Phiri, Malawi Defence Force Commander sign the state partnership program letter of intent during a signing ceremony in Lilongwe, Malawi, April 27, 2024.  The signing ceremony was held to commemorate the newly formed partnership between North Carolina and the Republic of Malawi. The State Partnership Program is a vital mechanism for fostering cooperation and building enduring relationships between states, both domestically and internationally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Bridget Pittman-Blackwell)

North Carolina National Guard leader, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Allen R. Boyette, NCNG Deputy Adjutant General, left, and U.S. Army Col. Michael Marciniak, Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, right, walk to the signing ceremony at Lilongwe, Malawi, April 27, 2024. The leaders joined fellow U.S. Military and Malawi officials at a signing ceremony as part of the NCNG’s expansion bringing the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Malawi into their State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau initiative joining individual state National Guards and host nations as part of U.S. security cooperation and international civil-military affairs.

North Carolina National Guard leaders, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Allen R. Boyette, NCNG Deputy Adjutant General, left, and U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Todd Woodard, NCNG State Command Chief Warrant Officer, right, pose with U.S. Army Col. Michael Marciniak, Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, at Lilongwe, Malawi, April 27, 2024. The leaders joined fellow U.S. Military and Malawi officials at a signing ceremony as part of the North Carolina National Guard’s expansion bringing the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Malawi into their State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau initiative joining individual state National Guards and host nations as part of U.S. security cooperation and international civil-military affairs.

Chief of Staff for the governor’s office Kristi Jones and leaders from the North Carolina National Guard join fellow U.S. Military and Zambian leaders at a State Partnership Program Signing Ceremony, Livingstone, Zambia, April 26, 2024. The leaders were invited to the ceremony as part of the NCNG’s expansion joining the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Malawi in their State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau initiative joining individual state National Guards and host nations as part of U.S. security cooperation and international civil-military affairs.

North Carolina National Guard leaders join fellow U.S. Military and Zambian leaders at a State Partnership Program Signing Ceremony, Livingstone, Zambia, April 26, 2024. The leaders were invited to the ceremony as part of the NCNG’s expansion joining the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Malawi in their State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau initiative joining individual state National Guards and host nations as part of U.S. security cooperation and international civil-military affairs.

North Carolina National Guard leaders meet fellow U.S. Military and Zambian peers at a shared cultural event at the Zambia Air Force Base, Livingstone, Zambia, April 25, 2024. The leaders were invited to the cultural event as part of the NCNG’s expansion joining the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Malawi in their State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau initiative joining individual state National Guards and host nations as part of U.S. security cooperation and international civil-military affairs

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, gives his remarks during the opening ceremony of the African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A) 2024 in Accra, Ghana, on April 30, 2024. AMFS/NILS-A is a multinational, Africa-focused, strategic-level forum designed to address transnational maritime security challenges in African waters, bringing together partner nations with marine forces and naval infantry to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships that will improve Africa's maritime domain security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Addysyn Tobar)

Distinguished guest and host of African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A) salute the arrival of President of the Republic of Ghana, at the African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A) 2024 in Accra, Ghana, on April 30, 2024. AMFS/NILS-A is a multinational, Africa-focused, strategic-level forum designed to address transnational maritime security challenges in African waters, bringing together partner nations with marine forces and naval . infantry to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships that will improve Africa's maritime domain security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Addysyn Tobar)

His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana, left, shakes hands with U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, at the African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A) 2024 in Accra, Ghana, on April 30, 2024. AMFS/NILS-A is a multinational, Africa-focused, strategic-level forum designed to address transnational maritime security challenges in African waters, bringing together partner nations with marine forces and naval infantry to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships that will improve Africa's maritime domain security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Addysyn Tobar)

U.S. Ambassador Robert Scott, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader poses for a photo with representatives from U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, and others. The event was centered around a tour and a presentation at a USAID funded project at the port in Tema, Ghana, on April 30, 2024. U.S. Africa Command along with U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa are participating in African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A). AMFS and NILS-A is a strategic-level forum designed to address transnational maritime security challenges in African waters, bringing together partner nations with marine forces and naval infantry to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships that will improve Africa's maritime domain security. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. military members stand at attention for the Zambian National Anthem in Lusaka, Zambia as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) event kicks off, April 8, 2024. The Zambian Defence Force invited U.S. military chaplains from the U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAF), North Carolina and New York Army National Guards to participate in a five-day SADC event in Lusaka, Zambia. The workshop aimed to enhance spiritual readiness for military personnel and their families, sharing best practices, and deepening relations with chaplains from Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking a milestone in international cooperation and understanding. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ebony Neal)