250514-N-RO855-1030 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 14, 2025) – U.S. Africa Command Ambassador Robert Scott, gathers with members from the Joint Exercise Control Group during Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caleb M. Foote)
250514-N-RO855-1390 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 14, 2025) – U.S. Africa Command Ambassador Robert Scott, gathers with members of the Zone G Multinational Maritime Coordination Center, during Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caleb M. Foote)
250514-N-RO855-1357 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 14, 2025) –U.S. Africa Command Ambassador Robert Scott, left, talks to Cabo Verdean Coast Guard members stationed at the Zone G Multinational Maritime Coordination Center, during Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caleb M. Foote)
Ambassador Robert Scott Joins Obangame Express 2025 in Cabo Verde
3:01 PM5/20/2025
U.S. Ambassador Robert Scott, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, U.S. Africa Command, visited Praia, Cabo Verde, in support of Obangame Express 2025, U.S. Naval Forces Africa’s premier West Africa maritime security exercise, May 13-16, 2025.
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)
Thirteen nations participate in Obangame Express 2024 maritime interdiction training in Ghana
11:02 AM5/13/2024
Over five days, 13 nations from across West Africa, Europe, and North America sent military delegations to collaborate, learn, and train together as part of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF)’s Obangame Express 2024 military interdiction training events at the Ghana Western Naval Headquarters in Sekondi.
Exercise Obangame Express 23 aids maritime security and prosecution in the Gulf of Guinea
12:58 PM2/2/2023
The exercise focuses on building capacities in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo to counter more effectively all forms of maritime-based crime in the Gulf of Guinea.
Exercise Obangame Express 23 aids maritime security and prosecution in the Gulf of Guinea
12:55 PM2/2/2023
Nigerian Navy and Police Force personnel conduct Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training during exercise Obangame Express 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria, on Jan. 25, 2023. The exercise focuses on building capacities in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo to counter more effectively all forms of maritime-based crime in the Gulf of Guinea.
International exercise Obangame Express 2023 set to begin
12:00 AM1/9/2023
Hosted in Nigeria, OE23 works to improve regional cooperation, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to counter illicit sea-based activity.
NAVAF, MARFORAF engineers kick off deployment to Ghana
12:00 AM9/30/2022
With support from Royal Danish Defense forces, the joint and combined team will also make critical construction builds or repairs to a mobile camp facility at the Ghana Navy Training command (NAVTRAC) in preparation for the NAVAF-led exercise Obangame Express 2023 and the U.S. Special Operations Command Africa-led exercise Flintlock.
Crew aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams entering the Port of Dakar, Senegal, during exercise Obangame Express on March 17, 2022. The exercise is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Crew aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams entering the Port of Dakar, Senegal, during exercise Obangame Express on March 17, 2022. The exercise is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Obangame Express brings a multinational approach to security in African waters
3:34 PM3/22/2022
Service members with the Royal Moroccan military provide covering positions during a boarding training evolution aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams as part of exercise Obangame Express 2022, March 15, 2022. Obangame Express 2022 is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation and increase maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Obangame Express brings a multinational approach to security in African waters
3:15 PM3/22/2022
Service members from ally and African partner nations attend the Senior Leadership Symposium as part of exercise Obangame Express 2022 at the Senegalese Naval Headquarters, in Dakar, Senegal, March 16, 2022. Obangame Express 2022 is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation and increase maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Obangame Express brings a multinational approach to security in African waters
3:15 PM3/22/2022
Senegalese sailors participate in medical training onboard the Senegalese Navy's patrol ship, Fouladou, as part of exercise Obangame Express in Dakar, Senegal, Mar. 14, 2022. Obangame Express 2022 is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation and increase maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Obangame Express brings a multinational approach to security in African waters
3:12 PM3/22/2022
Lt. Col. Khadessa Sy, head of gender division, Senegalese Armed Forces, delivers the keynote speech for the Women, Peace, and Security presentation at the Senior Leadership Symposium as part of exercise Obangame Express 2022 at the Senegalese Naval Headquarters, in Dakar, Senegal, March 16, 2022. Obangame Express 2022 is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation and increase maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Obangame Express brings a multinational approach to security in African waters
3:12 PM3/22/2022
Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Ryan Altizer points out a potential surface contact to Master-at-Arms 1st Class Rachael Crawford, both assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Three, while entering the Port of Dakar, Senegal, aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams during exercise Obangame Express 2022, March 17, 2022. Obangame Express 2022 is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation and increase maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Obangame Express brings a multinational approach to security African waters
2:50 PM3/22/2022
Service members with the Royal Moroccan military provide covering positions during a boarding training evolution aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams as part of exercise Obangame Express 2022, March 15, 2022. Obangame Express 2022 is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation and increase maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Service members from the Ghanaian special forces provide cover while approaching a vessel during a boarding exercise as part of Obangame Express 2021, March 17, 2021. Obangame Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Service members from the Ghanaian special forces provide cover while approaching a vessel during a boarding exercise as part of Obangame Express 2021 on March 17, 2021. Obangame Express is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
AFRICOM’s Gen. Townsend meets African leaders at exercise African Lion
9:40 AM6/21/2021
Gen. Stephen Townsend visited Morocco to attend the closing ceremony of African Lion 2021 and to meet with several African defense leaders June 17-19, 2021.
A Ghanaian Sailor searches an outgoing car while standing watch at the Ghana, Eastern Naval Command, during Exercise Obangame Express, March 21, 2021. Obangame Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
A Ghanaian Sailor assumes a watch position at the Ghana, Eastern Naval Command, during Exercise Obangame Express, March 21, 2021. Obangame Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
Ghanaian Sailors stand watch at the Ghana, Eastern Naval Command during Exercise Obangame Express, March 21, 2021. Obangame Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
The women serving within the participating nations in Exercise Obangame Express 2021 represent only a small number in a growing community of women in the armed forces.
Medical experts conduct virtual pandemic preparation, response event during Obangame Express
9:25 AM3/22/2021
Cmdr. Helen Cann, senior medical officer, participates in a pandemic preparation and response virtual engagement in support of Exercise Obangame Express 2021 on March 16, 2021. Obangame Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West African coastal regions.
Service members from the Ghanaian special forces provide cover while approaching a vessel during a boarding exercise as part of Obangame Express 2021, March 17, 2021. Obangame Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.
International Exercise Obangame Express set to begin
12:00 AM3/12/2021
OE21 is part of a comprehensive strategy by U.S. Naval Forces Africa and U.S. Africa Command to provide collaborative opportunities for African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns.
U.S. Africa Command cancels exercise Obangame Express
12:00 AM3/14/2020
The decision not to proceed with the exercise comes in response to the global effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), while minimizing exposure of U.S. and partner nation service members to this virus.
190318-N-RG482-0265
Military members from the Cameroonian Armed Forces participate in a visit, board, search and seizure drill aboard a Nigerian training vessel during exercise Obangame Express 2019 in Lagos, Nigeria, March 18, 2019. Obangame Express, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command, is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.
Gambia trains on maritime clearing techniques as part of Obangame Express 2019
12:00 AM3/18/2019
Members of the Gambian navy conduct clearing techniques during a simulated drug smuggling and human trafficking scenario aboard the Gambia Navy’s patrol vessel, GNS Kunti Kinte during Exercise Obangame Express 2019 in Banjul, Gambia, March 18. Exercise Obangame Express, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command, is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.
Specific skill sets exercised for OE19 include boarding techniques, search and rescue operations, medical casualty response, radio communication, and information management techniques.
More than 36 organizations participated this year, among them 19 African nations and 15 European, Atlantic, and international organizations under the umbrella of maritime safety, security and cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea
5 Things You Need to Know About Obangame Express 2017
3:38 PM3/20/2017
Obangame Express 2017 provides African, European, South American and U.S. partner maritime forces the opportunity to work together, share information and refine tactics, techniques and procedures in order to assist Gulf of Guinea maritime nations with building capacity to monitor and enforce their territorial waters and exclusive economic zones.
Obangame Express Boarding Operations Enhance Gulf of Guinea
8:56 AM3/25/2015
Ivory Coast boarding team members establish perimeter security aboard the German navy vessel FGS Brandenburg (F215) March 21, 2015 during an illegal fishing training scenario as part of Obangame Express 2015. Obangame Express is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored multinational maritime exercise designed to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea. (U.S. Army photo by Specialist Raul Pacheco/Released)
Exercise Obangame Express 2015 Nations Meet to Finalize Plans
10:14 AM1/20/2015
Planners from more than 20 African and European maritime nations attend a final planning conference in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, for Exercise Obangame Express Jan. 12, 2015. The exercise will take place in the Gulf of Guinea in March 2015, and will focus on developing regional maritime interoperability. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kent Laborde/Released)
“Obangame Express is about the motivation of our people to dig into some wicked problems together and unearth ways to make our waters safer,” said Lt. Gen. Kirk Smith, deputy commander, U.S. Africa Command.