On Thursday 14 May 2025, the Debrief of Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2025, which marked the conclusion of the exercise was held at Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT Officers’ Mess, Naval Base Apapa, Lagos.
The event began with a brief from the Officer in Tactical Command, Captain LD Deyin, who summarised the activities and Operations conducted during the exercise. Subsequently, a Chief Observer brief was delivered by Captain AC Yakubu. Lastly, an interactive session moderated by the Command Operations Officer Western Naval Command, Commodore A Mohammed allowed participants to share contributions, comments and observations.
In his remarks, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (FOC WEST), Rear Admiral MG Oamen emphasised that the purpose of the debrief was to provide valuable insights for improving future Operations. The FOC WEST appreciated all participating ships, units, and strategic partners. In particular, he thanked the US government for their contributions to the exercise’s success. Special gratitude was extended to the Spanish Navy ship RELAMPAGO. Lastly, the FOC expressed profound thanks to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla for his immense support and guidance in making the exercise a significant success.
Exercise Obangame Express (OE) is one of three African regional “Express” series exercises sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and facilitated by U.S. Sixth Fleet (SIXTHFLT). The exercise is designed to train SIXTHFLT forces while advancing AFRICOM Campaign Plan Lines of Effort.
The exercise improved regional cooperation in support of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), information sharing between Maritime Operation Centers (MOCs), maritime interdiction, adherence to the rule of law, and counter-proliferation interdiction capabilities in order to disrupt illicit maritime activity and strengthen safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea. The exercise begins with an in-port training period followed by at-sea scenarios. The underway portion of the exercise tests participating MOCs’ and ships’ abilities to coordinate and conduct maritime interdiction operations (MIO) by boarding teams against simulated suspect vessels, detecting illicit activity, and follow-on evidence collection procedures.
The exercise took place across five exercise zones in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Guinea that stretch from Cabo Verde to Angola, and across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) nations.
The opening ceremony for Exercise Obangame Express 2025 was held at the Owusu Ansah Hall, on Monday 5 May 2025 at the Naval Headquarters (NHQ). The annual training exercise brought together personnel drawn from the Ghana Navy, the Ghana Police and Immigration Services to strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation in the maritime domain.
The Deputy Chief Staff Officer (DCSO) Operations and Training at the NHQ, Commodore SB Nyam in his opening remarks, entreated participants to maximize their efforts to ensure the success of the exercise. He emphasized the success of Obangame 2025 would significantly contribute to maintaining peace and security within the maritime domain.
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.
Led by Senegal’s Special Forces Marine unit, the training brought together boarding teams from across Africa to practice counter-piracy and interdiction tactics. The drills progressed from classroom briefings to full-mission boardings on simulated suspect vessels.
“They’re not just learning procedures—they’re learning to work as one team,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Timothy Minor, an exercise planner with U.S. Africa Command. “Each day, they’re becoming more confident and more capable.”
Obangame Express, now in its 14th year, is one of three regional maritime exercises coordinated by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and conducted by U.S. Sixth Fleet. The event supports the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and the Africa Partnership Station by building real-world maritime enforcement skills and operational independence among partner nations.
Boarding teams trained in tactical ship entries, evidence handling, and search procedures. Instructors used a “crawl, walk, run” method, beginning with lectures and culminating in realistic at-sea boardings involving role players.
Chief Petty Officer Mass Jallow of the Gambian Navy called the experience a turning point for his team. “We come from different countries, different training backgrounds,” he said. “Sharing techniques and experiences gives us stronger ideas to take home.”
Despite language differences, teams found common ground. Gambian sailors stepped up as interpreters, helping deliver training in English, French, and Portuguese.
“The Gambians stepped in as interpreters early on,” Minor said. “That kind of initiative reflects exactly what we want to see—cooperation, leadership, and adaptability.”
VBSS capabilities are essential for enforcing maritime law in exclusive economic zones, where illegal activity often crosses national boundaries. Minor said the training is not theoretical. “They’re going to take these skills and use them in operations.”
The drills tested coordination among Maritime Operations Centers, key nodes in the communication network for joint responses to maritime threats. Organizers say the exercise reinforced the U.S. Navy’s commitment to empowering partners and boosting regional interoperability.
“Senegal was the right place for this,” said Jallow. “They have everything needed to make this training effective.”
With piracy, smuggling, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing continuing to threaten regional stability, officials say exercises like Obangame Express are critical.
“Maritime security requires partnership,” Minor said. “That’s what this exercise is all about.”
Participating forces now return home with stronger skills, closer ties, and a clearer understanding of how to operate jointly in complex maritime environments.
Obangame Express is one of three regional exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet. It provides collaborative training opportunities for African and international partners to counter maritime threats and uphold maritime stability.
Nations taking part in OE25 included Angola, Benin, Belgium, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Togo, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allies, international partners, and other U.S. government departments and agencies to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.
