On May 5th, the Kyushu Military Retiree Association held a memorial on Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo for two Sailors that were lost at sea while serving on the USS Barbell. The KMRA holds this memorial every year to remind Sailors about the incident to remember the Sailors that were lost. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Orion Shotton)
The Yaoundé Code of Conduct (YCoC) provides a framework and governing instruction on maritime coordination and collaboration throughout West and Central Africa. Borne out of a need for a common regional strategy to address transnational threats in the Gulf of Guinea, the YCoC has been in place for over a decade and has proven an integral component of maritime security and stability in the region.
The opening ceremony for Obangame Express 2024 took place today, May 6, 2024, with notable attendees including U.S. Ambassador to Gabon Vernelle FitzPatrick, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Michael Mattis, and Mr. William Moeller III, Foreign Policy Advisor for Naval Forces Africa. They welcomed Major General Brigitte Onkanowa from the Ministry of Defence of Gabon. The ceremony, held in Libreville, Gabon, featured speeches by Ambassador FitzPatrick,...
The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) arrived in Libreville, Gabon, on May 5, 2024, to support Obangame Express '24. This deployment is part of its scheduled mission in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of operations, working under U.S. Sixth Fleet for U.S. Africa Command to safeguard U.S. and partner interests. Obangame Express is a multi-domain exercise led by U.S. Naval Forces Africa aimed at countering malign...
The Gold military crew (MILCREW) of the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) and the ship’s Military Sealift Command Civilian Mariners (CIVMARs) arrived in Libreville, Gabon for a scheduled port visit to begin the multinational naval exercise Obangame Express 2024, May 5, 2024.