CTF-65


 

Task Force 65/Destroyer Squadron 60 located in Rota, Spain. Commander, Task Force 65/Commander Destroyer Squadron SIX ZERO exercises operational and tactical control of all forward deployed surface combatants operating in the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM AORs under the direction of Naval Forces Europe and Africa. TF 65 surface combatants execute myriad operations from as far North as the Norwegian Sea and south to the Cape of Good Hope including Ballistic Missile Defense, Sea Lines of Communication enforcement, Maritime Interdiction Operations, direct support to NATO combined and Joint operations and exercises, counterterrorism operations, counterpiracy operations, Africa Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership operations, whole of government Africa Partnership Station deployments and Theater Security Cooperation activities both in-port and underway.

News
Historic U.S. Naval Visit Reinforces U.S.-Côte d’Ivoire Security Partnership
Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), visited Abidjan this week, marking the highest-level U.S. Navy visit to the country and underscoring the growing strength of the U.S.–Côte d’Ivoire defense partnership.


During his visit to Abidjan, Wikoff met with Abroulaye Fofana, the Permanent Secretary of the Interministerial Committee in Charge of State Actions at Sea, to discuss maritime interoperability and cooperation. He then met with General d’Armée Lassina Doumbia, Chief of the Defense Staff, to advance U.S.–Côte d’Ivoire defense cooperation, with a focus on regional stability and shared interests in the Gulf of Guinea.
April 24, 2026 - Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), visited Abidjan this week, marking the highest-level U.S. Navy visit to the country and underscoring the growing strength of the U.S.–Côte d’Ivoire defense...

U.S. Naval Forces Africa Visits Accra to Advance Maritime Cooperation with Ghana
Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), visited Accra April 21-22, meeting with U.S. embassy leadership and senior Ghanaian government officials to reinforce shared maritime security priorities in the Gulf of Guinea and to advance cooperation between the United States and the Ghana Navy.
April 23, 2026 - Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), visited Accra April 21-22, meeting with U.S. embassy leadership and senior Ghanaian government officials to reinforce shared maritime security priorities...

Exercise Obangame Express Returns to Cameroon for 15th Iteration
Leaders from the United States and West Africa pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of Obangame Express 26.
April 23, 2026 - Obangame Express 2026 (OE 26), sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and conducted by the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet, held an opening ceremony for the exercise April 23, 2026 in host nation Cameroon...

U.S. Naval Forces Africa visits Namibia, meets with U.S. ambassador, defense officials 
Admiral George M. Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), visited Windhoek and Walvis Bay this week to meet with Namibian government officials alongside U.S. Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano. 

 

The visit focused on shared maritime interests between Namibia and the United States.
April 19, 2026 - Admiral George M. Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), visited Windhoek and Walvis Bay this week to meet with Namibian government officials alongside U.S. Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano. The visit...

USS Gerald R. Ford Departs Split, Croatia
USS Gerald R. Ford Departs Split, Croatia.
April 2, 2026 - The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), departed the Port of Split, Croatia, following a five-day port visit, March 28-April 2...