Gambiaj.com – (TAKORADI) – The Gambia Armed Forces are actively participating in Exercise Obangame Express (OE), one of three African regional “Express” series exercises sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and facilitated by the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet (NAVEUR-NAVAF-SIXTHFLT). This exercise aims to enable partner and allied forces to collaborate and 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.

Prior to the commencement of training at the Ghana Navy Western Headquarters in Takoradi, Captain Trevor Ackland, a Canadian officer working as a media officer for the exercise, paid a courtesy call on the Gambia Armed Forces Director of Press and Public Relations (DPPR), Colonel Lamin K Sanyang on 10th May 2024. The discussions between the two military officers focused on enhancing public awareness

about the training, which specifically aims to improve regional cooperation in support of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), information sharing between Maritime Operation Centers (MOCs), maritime interdiction, adherence to the rule of law, and counter-proliferation interdiction capabilities to disrupt illicit maritime activity and strengthen safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Meanwhile, in Takoradi, Ghana, Day one of the exercise began with an in-port training period followed by at-sea scenarios, testing participating MOCs’ and ships’ abilities to coordinate and conduct maritime interdiction operations (MIO) by boarding teams against simulated suspect vessels, detecting illicit activity, and following evidence collection procedures.

Military personnel from Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, the U.S., and the Netherlands participated in several drills on Day 1 of the training. The exercise included demonstrations such as the U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) Pacific and Royal Netherlands Marine Reconnaissance Sniper team personnel demonstrating hallway clearing procedures, Greek Navy Chief Petty Officer Aspostolos Lazaridis from the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center (NMIOTC) teaching casualty care methods for treating hypothermia, and Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Ghana Police Force, and Ghana Navy personnel participating in close quarters combat drills.

The Obangame Express Exercise 2024 is the 13th rendition of the exercise, aiming to enable Partner and allied forces to collaborate and 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.