News

Obangame Express 2025 Sets Sights on Illegal Fishing Networks
May 15, 2025 — African nations are ramping up enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF), a practice draining billions from coastal economies... MORE

A Gambian Navy Sailor boards a merchant training vessel during a Senegalese led Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training exercise at Obangame Express. 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.

From Classroom to Combat Boarding: Multinational VBSS Training Highlights Obangame Express 2025
May 12, 2025 — Naval forces from 27 nations executed Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations in Senegal as part of Exercise Obangame Express 2025, a multinational effort aimed at strengthening maritime security in West African waters... MORE

An instructor from the Senegalese naval special forces, Forces Speciale de Mer (FSM), leads a subject control exercise during FSM-led Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training 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.

Strengthening Partnerships through Rule of Law
May 12, 2025 — A rule of law exercise, held May 5th through May 9th during Obangame Express 2025, brought together representatives from Western Africa partner nations and European Allies, enhancing the practical and academic application of joint maritime operations... MORE

Distinguished visitors gather together for a group photo on board the Brazilian Navy Niterói-Class Frigate, BNS Defensora (F 41) 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.

USS Mount Whitney Arrives in Nouakchott, Mauritania
May 8, 2025 — The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on May 8, 2025, for a scheduled port visit... MORE

U.S. and Mauritanian military and civilian officials pose for a photo aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during a leadership engagement while anchored near Nouakchott, Mauritania, May 8, 2025.

Exercise Obangame Express holds Opening Ceremony in Cabo Verde
May 5, 2025 — Obangame Express 2025 (OE 25), sponsored by United States Africa Command and conducted by U.S. Sixth Fleet, held the opening ceremony for the exercise May 5th, 2025 in host nation Cabo Verde... MORE

Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, makes remarks at the opening ceremony of Obangame Express 2025.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Conducts Euro-Atlantic Force Employment Wargame with NATO at U.S. Naval War College
May 5, 2025 — More than 100 participants from U.S. and NATO commands participated in a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa-sponsored and U.S. Naval War College (NWC)-hosted wargame focused on assessing the U.S. Maritime Concept of Operations (USMCO) for the European theater alongside NATO components, May 5-9... MORE

U.S. 6th Fleet and STRIKFORNATO kick off Exercise Formidable Shield 2025
May 3, 2025 — Eleven Allied nations kick off exercise At Sea Demonstration (ASD) / Formidable Shield (FS) 25, led by U.S. 6th Fleet and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), in the North and Norwegian Seas and North Atlantic Ocean, May 3, 2025... MORE

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), left, and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), right, port in Narvik, Norway in preparation for exercise At-Sea Demonstration (ASD) / Formidable Shield (FS) 2025, May 2, 2025.

USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) arrives in His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde (Faslane), Scotland
April 30, 2025 — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) arrived in His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde (Faslane), Scotland, April 25, 2025 for a scheduled port visit and to enhance U.S.-U.K relations while building NATO cohesion... MORE

Command Master Chief Sergio Gonzalez, left, and Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) Emily Chandler observe an approaching pilot boat during a sea-and-anchor evolution aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), April 25, 2025.

USS Mount Whitney conducts Tripoli and Benghazi port visits to promote regional stability, national unity and Libyan sovereignty
April 21, 2025 — The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), arrived in Libya for scheduled port visits, April 20-21, in support of enduring U.S.-Libya cooperation and regional security. While in Libya, Mount Whitney visited both Tripoli and Benghazi for key engagements with leaders from across the country... MORE

Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, greets key Libyan military and civilian officials before a key leadership engagement conference aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in Tripoli, Libya, April 20, 2025.

U.S. Transfers Two 34m Patrol Boats to Tunisia During Visit of USS Mount Whitney to Celebrate 220 Years of U.S.-Tunisian Maritime Partnership
April 17, 2025 — The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), arrived in Tunis, Tunisia, for a scheduled port visit on April 17, to reinforce the enduring partnership between the United States and Tunisia... MORE

Sailors, officials, dignitaries and guests pose for a group photo following the commissioning of two Tunisian Navy Island Class Patrol Boats transferred from the United States in Tunis, Tunisia, April 17, 2025.