Cutlass Categorical, one in every of three African regional “Categorical” sequence workouts sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) and U.S. Sixth Fleet, brings collectively regional and worldwide Allies and companions for 2 weeks of coaching all through East Arica and the Western Indian Ocean.
“This train exhibits our mutual and unwavering dedication to making sure maritime security and safety within the area,” stated Brigadier Michael Rosette, Chief of Protection Forces of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). “It’s by way of such initiatives and interactions that we proceed to enhance our interoperability and construct stronger ties with all our pleasant companions within the area.”
The train will improve the readiness of Allied and associate forces; improve maritime area consciousness (MDA) and collaboration amongst collaborating nations; exhibit the aptitude of African companions to fight piracy and counter illicit trafficking; and safe the maritime area.
All through the following two weeks, members will check their ability and collaboration by way of a wide range of train and actual world eventualities. A few of these occasions embody go to, board, search and seizure (VBSS) and maritime interdiction coaching, counter-illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing procedures, Girls, Peace and Safety (WPS) initiatives, Maritime Operations Middle (MOC) integration, SeaVision and maritime area consciousness operations, and bilateral and multilateral diving occasions.
These occasions will happen primarily in Djibouti, Kenya, and the Seychelles, in addition to the waters of East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. Conducting simultaneous occasions throughout a number of nations gives a various and impactful sequence of alternatives to reinforce coaching and coordination all through the area, and are a trademark of the Categorical sequence. Train members may even leverage collaborative establishments like Seychelles’ Regional Coordination Operations Centre to proceed to extend the tempo and scale of regional maritime cooperation.
Cutlass Categorical 24 may even run concurrently with the U.S. Army Southern European Activity Power, Africa-led train Justified Accord 2024. By integration of coaching occasions, collaborating nations will enhance protection capabilities of multi-domain forces and refine disaster and counterterrorism responses, in the end decreasing world maritime threats. Linkages between workouts additionally scale back interservice seams and improve U.S. world capabilities and interoperability.
Nations scheduled to take part within the train embody Comoros, Djibouti, Georgia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, the UK, and the USA. Worldwide organizations collaborating embody the UN Workplace on Medicine and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL and the Indian Ocean Fee.
The U.S. shares a typical curiosity with African associate nations in making certain safety, security, and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, as a result of these waters are vital for Africa’s prosperity and entry to world markets.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has cast strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM areas of accountability. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by way of the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
For extra data on Cutlass Categorical, go to https://www.c6f.navy.mil/, https://www.dvidshub.web/function/cutlassexpress2024, & https://twitter.com/usnavyEurope/.
