News

Cutlass Express 2026: Innovation to Drive the Fight Against Trafficking And Illegal Fishing
February 11, 2026 — Cutlass Express 2026: Innovation to Drive the Fight Against Trafficking And Illegal Fishing... MORE

Partner nations work together using a sea vision tool called SMARTMast, during Cutlass Express 2026 (CE 26).

Strengthening Partnerships Through Music: U.S. Navy Band Engages Mauritian Communities During Cutlass Express 2026
February 10, 2026 — Strengthening Partnerships through Music: U.S. Navy Band Engages Mauritian Communities during Cutlass Express 2026... MORE

Musician 3rd Class Caleb Allen with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band (Topside Brass Band) plays at their performance at Caudan Waterfront (Umbrella Concert), Port Louis, Mauritius during Cutlass Express 2026 (CE 26).

Lightfish Unmanned Vessel First Joint Maritime Launch
February 10, 2026 — Commander Task Force (CTF) 66 launched a Lightfish Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) for the first time off a partner nation’s vessel during Cutlass Express 2026 off the coast of the Indian Ocean, Feb. 9... MORE

OS2 Melissa Adams and Shane Condon,with Task Force 66 and Seychelles Coast Guardsman Captain Julian Morel prepare the launch of the Lightfish, an unmanned surface vessel (USV), marking for the first time the system has been deployed from a partner surface vessel, as part of Cutlass Express 2026 (CE 26).

Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 to Enhance Maritime Security in East Africa
February 3, 2026 — Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and enabled by U.S. Sixth Fleet kicks off in Port Louis, Mauritius Feb. 2-12... MORE

Members of the official party for the opening ceremony of Cutlass Express 2026 (CE 26), including Lt Gen. John Brennan, Deputy Commander, United States Africa Command, (second to right), and Rear Adm. Kelly Ward, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa Commander, Task Force 66 (CTF-66), (far right), stand at attention for the National Anthem.

Exercise Phoenix Express 2026 Concludes in Tunisia
January 23, 2026 — TUNIS, Tunisia - Eight partner nations concluded the 20th iteration of exercise Phoenix Express, led by U.S. 6th Fleet, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command, and hosted by Tunisia in Tunis, Jan. 20-23, 2026... MORE

CTF 68 Builds Maritime Advantage with NATO Allies During Exercise Freezing Winds 2025
January 23, 2026 — U.S. Navy expeditionary forces assigned to Commander, Naval Expeditionary Combat Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, Task Force 68 (CTF 68) recently concluded operations in support of Exercise Freezing Winds 2025, a Finnish-led multinational training event designed to bolster collective readiness, interoperability, and security across the North Baltic Sea... MORE

U.S. Navy EOD technicians and Finnish Navy sailors conduct a live-fire exercise in Finland during Freezing Winds 25 on Nov. 25, 2025.

U.S. Maritime Security Cooperation and Attaché Symposium concludes in Naples, Italy
January 21, 2026 — U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) hosted the U.S. Maritime Security Cooperation and Attaché Symposium (MSCAS), an annual symposium hosting more than 80 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps attachés, Personnel Exchange Program Officers, and U.S. 6th Fleet liaison officers stationed throughout Europe and Africa, from Jan. 12-15, 2026, in Naples, Italy... MORE

U.S. service members attending the January 2026 Maritime Security Cooperation and Attaché Symposium gather for a group photo at U.S Naval Support Active Naples, Italy, Jan. 12, 2026.

USS Paul Ignatius Holds Change of Command Ceremony
January 5, 2026 — Cmdr. Joseph Phillips turned over as commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) with Cmdr. William Burke during a change of command ceremony held on Pier 1 at Naval Station Rota, January 01, 2026. ... MORE

During a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Capt. Kelechi Ndukwe, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 60, salutes Cmdr. Joseph Phillips as he is relieved of duty on January 1, 2026.

U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Romania Holds Change of Command Ceremony
December 9, 2025 — Cmdr. Carleigh Gregory relieved Cmdr. Robert Foster as U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Romania (USAAMDSRO) commanding officer during a change of command ceremony held at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu, Romania, Dec. 9, 2025... MORE

Cmdr. Carleigh Gregory, Aegis Ashore Romania’s 12th commanding officer, departing the Change of Command Ceremony after assuming command.

USS Paul Ignatius Conducts Naval Surface Fire Support Exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy, Highlighting Defense Cooperation and Partnership
December 4, 2025 — USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) conducted Atlas Handshake, a bilateral naval surface fire support (NSFS) exercise with the Royal Moroccan Navy, while operating in the Atlantic Ocean from Dec. 3-4, 2025... MORE

Cmdr. Joseph Phillips, commanding officer of the Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), waves to The Royal Moroccan Navy frigate Tarik Ben Ziyad (FSG 613) during a passing exercise as the Moroccan HH-65A Dolphin helicopter collects photos, Dec. 2, 2025.