U.S. and African partners enhance capabilities at Cutlass Express 2021

Credit: Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka | Date Taken: 08/06/2021
Djiboutian, Somalian, Comorian and U.S. service members conduct visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) procedures during exercise Cutlass Express 2021 at L'Escale Marina, Djibouti, Aug. 3, 2021. VBSS exercises consisted of simulated scenarios to capture and control vessels aimed to combat terrorism, piracy and smuggling operations at sea. Exercise Cutlass Express, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet, is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and information sharing practices to increase capabilities between the U.S., East African and Western Indian Ocean nations to counter illicit maritime activity. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)