Closing ceremonies commenced African Partnership Flight–Djibouti for more than 80 Airmen from six nations at Djibouti Air Base, Feb.11, 2015.

A Djibouti coast guard member role-plays as a pirate during Exercise Cutlass Express 2015 in Djibouti, Jan. 31, 2015. Sponsored by U.S. Africa Command, Exercise Cutlass Express 2015 is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and information sharing practices to increase capabilities of East African and Indian Ocean nations to counter sea-based illicit activity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie/Released)

A Djiboutian air force member performs a traditional dance as part of a cultural exchange during African Partnership Flight–Djibouti at Djibouti Air Base, Feb. 9, 2015. APF is the premiere program to bring together partner nations to increase cooperation and interoperability, which fosters stability and security throughout the continent. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Ian Dean)

The Djibouti navy and coast guard boarding vessel returns to port after completing the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure exercise scenario during Exercise Cutlass Express 2015 in Djibouti, Feb. 2, 2015. Sponsored by U.S. Africa Command, Exercise Cutlass Express 2015 is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and information sharing practices to increase capabilities of East African and Indian Ocean nations to counter sea-based illicit activity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie/Released)

The Djibouti navy and coast guard boarding vessel begins the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure exercise as part of the Proliferation Security Initiative Support cell portion of Exercise Cutlass Express 2015 in Djibouti, Feb. 2, 2015. Sponsored by U.S. Africa Command, Exercise Cutlass Express 2015 is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and information sharing practices to increase capabilities of East African and Indian Ocean nations to counter sea-based illicit activity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie/Released)

Piracy, illegal fishing, and other maritime threats are rising around the world, presenting even more of a need for properly trained forces in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure procedures (VBSS) in the East African Nations.

The President of Mauritius, Kailash Purryag, visited the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56), while it’s moored in Port Louis, Mauritius taking part in Exercise Cutlass Express 2015, Feb. 3.

Maritime forces from East Africa, South Africa, Europe, Indian Ocean nations, the United States and several international organizations began the fourth iteration of the multinational maritime Exercise Cutlass Express, Jan. 28, 2015.

SIMON’S TOWN, South Africa – Maritime professionals from South and East Africa, Europe, Indian Ocean nations and the U.S. met to begin finalizing plans for the fourth iteration of Cutlass Express 2015, Nov. 18. The four-day planning event seeks to finalize exercise scenarios, participant force offerings, schedule of events, and participant manning in advance of the exercise, to be held in early 2015.

Maritime forces from East Africa, the United States and European nations concluded exercise Cutlass Express 2013, Nov. 18.Cutlass Express is one of four African regional "Express" series exercises facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S.