# OBANGAME 2025 maritime exercise concludes

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2025/05/obangame-2025-concludes/
- Published: 2025-05-16T08:46:14+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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