Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa joined senior military representatives from more than 100 countries met at the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island last week to discuss maritime challenges and ways to increase naval cooperation at the 23rd International Seapower Symposium (ISS).
The heads of 95 navies and coast guards attended the symposium, where they examined ways to bolster maritime security by discussing common challenges and shared opportunities. ISS provides naval leadership a rare opportunity to meet other heads of navies to exchange experiences, lessons learned and ideas.
“We’ve had an opportunity to socialize, to meet to discuss professional matters, and I had the chance to talk about the Coalition Force Maritime Commanders Course (CFMCC) hosted in Naples this December with many of the African partners,” said Foggo.
Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, hosted the event in Newport from Sept. 19-21. The theme of this year’s symposium was ‘Security, Prosperity and Order.’
Interactions such as the ISS are opportunities for partners and allies from across the globe to come together to address security challenges together. Discussions at ISS have resulted in many successful efforts to enhance cooperation in countering piracy, providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, and coordinating search and rescue at sea.
Foggo went on to explain how CFMCC will lead into the 2019 exercise season with our African partners.
“We want to help our African partners in the future through the Obangame, Cutlass, Phoenix and Saharan Express exercises,” Foggo continued. “CFMCC, combined with these exercises, will assist the training, the strategy, and the maintenance challenges they face to maintain their ships at sea for security in the maritime domain.”
The Express series of exercises are part of a comprehensive strategy by Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet and U.S. Africa Command to provide collaborative opportunities amongst African forces and international partners that addresses maritime security concerns.
According to the Naval War College, the ISS is unique in that it is the only forum in the world that brings together so many heads of navies to enhance maritime security and collaborative operations.