When pirates hijacked the MT MAXIMUS in the Gulf of Guinea in mid-February, collaboration between four West African nations, with assistance from the U.S. and France, allowed the African navies to track, interdict the vessel, free 18 hostages and apprehend the pirates.

Members of the Ghanaian Navy, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard are conducting a combined maritime law enforcement operation.

A Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando moves up the beach during the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, Sept. 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

A Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando posts security on the beach during the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, Sept. 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and mall-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations.( U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

A Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando raids the beach during the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, Sept. 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

Second Lt. Aaron Burtner, security cooperation team leader, congratulates a Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando during his graduation ceremony after completing the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, September 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Austin Carpenter, a rifleman, shakes his counterpart Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando’s hand after successfully completing the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, Sept. 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos depart after raiding a simulated enemy position during the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, Sept. 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

Second Lt. Aaron Burtner, security cooperation team leader, poses for a photo with Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos after completing their final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, September 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

On December 31, 1943, Marine Iron & Ship Builders of Duluth, Minn. launched the Sweetbrier, a 180-foot Balsam Class U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender. Nearly 72 years later, a multinational group of navies practiced visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations on board the Sweetbrier, known since 2001 as the Ghana Naval Ship (GNS) Bonsu.

TEMA, Ghana (March 19, 2015) – GNS Bonsu, a former U.S. Coast Guard ship sold to the Ghana navy in 2001, is moored at the port of Tema, Ghana, March 19, 2015. Bonsu is currently docked as it awaits repairs, and is scheduled to participate in work-up trials later this summer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Luis R. Chavez Jr/Released)

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)

Security Cooperation Team- 1, with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14, departed Naval Air Station Sigonella for an upcoming train-the-trainer theater security cooperation engagement in Toubacouta, Senegal, during September.

Cpl. Tyler Furman (center), an infantryman with Security Cooperation Team- 1, prepares members of the Senegalese Companie de Fusilier Marine Commandos, or COFUMACO, for a magazine reloading competition in Toubacouta, Senegal, Aug. 28, 2014. The competition was part of a joint-training engagement between U.S. Marines, Coast Guard, and the COFUMACO. (Courtesy Photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Neumann)