News

A U.S. Navy Ballistic Missile Submarine Arrived in Gibraltar, May, 10, 2026.
May 11, 2026 — A U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarine arrived in Gibraltar, May, 10, 2026... MORE

A U.S. Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine arrives in Gibraltar, May 10, 2026. Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines are undetectable launch platforms for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, providing the U.S. with its most survivable leg of the nuclear triad. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)

Exercise Obangame Express Closes the 15th Iteration in Cameroon
April 30, 2026 — Exercise Obangame Express (OE) 2026 officially concluded during a ceremony in Douala, Cameroon, host nation for the 15th iteration, April 30. The ceremony marked the conclusion of three weeks of training for participants from 30 nations across Africa, Europe, South America and the U.S. reinforcing regional collaboration and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea... MORE

Exercise Obangame Express closes in Douala, Cameroon, April 30, 2026.

17 Nations Complete Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Training in Senegal
April 28, 2026 — Naval forces from 17 nations executed Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations in Senegal as part of Exercise Obangame Express 2026, a multinational effort aimed at strengthening maritime security in West African waters... MORE

Exercise Obangame Express (OE) 2026 participants practice tactical combat casualty care techniques at La Base Militaire de Bel Air, Senegal, April 21, 2026.

From Pier to Platform: Seabees Enable Autonomous Operations During Obangame Express 2026
April 27, 2026 — U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 and 22nd Naval Construction Regiment (NCR) are enabling the next generation of maritime operations during Exercise Obangame Express (OE) 2026, constructing expeditionary infrastructure designed to support autonomous systems in the Gulf of Guinea... MORE

Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Crafts (GARC) deploy in formation during a live robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) demonstration with Commander, Task Force (CTF) 66 during Exercise Obangame Express 2026 in Douala, Cameroon, April 25, 2026.

Historic U.S. Naval Visit Reinforces U.S.-Côte d’Ivoire Security Partnership
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 partnership... MORE

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.

U.S. Naval Forces Africa Visits Accra to Advance Maritime Cooperation with Ghana
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 in the Gulf of Guinea and to advance cooperation between the United States and the Ghana Navy... MORE

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.

Exercise Obangame Express Returns to Cameroon for 15th Iteration
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... MORE

Vice Adm. Jean Mendoua, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Cameroonian Navy gives opening remarks during the opening ceremony of Obangame Express 2026.

U.S. Naval Forces Africa visits Namibia, meets with U.S. ambassador, defense officials
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 focused on shared maritime interests between Namibia and the United States. ... MORE

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.

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... MORE

U.S. Strengthens Maritime Security Cooperation with Kenya During NAVAF Commander’s Visit
March 31, 2026 — U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) strengthened its longstanding security partnership with Kenya during Adm. George Wikoff’s visit to Nairobi and Mombasa, March 24–25. The visit, Wikoff’s first to Africa as the NAVAF commander, highlighted the United States Navy’s ongoing support to Kenya’s maritime operations, counterterrorism efforts, and regional security leadership along the Western Indian Ocean and the Somali border... MORE

Adm. George Wikoff and General Charles Kahariri exchange gifts at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi.