Military experts from the U.S., Africa and Europe plan inaugural joint exercise

Planners from seven partner nations and distinguished guests pose for a group photo following the opening ceremony for the Unified Focus 2017 initial planning event (IPE), Douala, Cameroon, Oct. 11, 2016. The UF17 IPE brought partner nation planners together for the first time to discuss and begin shaping the inaugural Unified Focus exercise designed to enhance and enable Lake Chad Basin Commission nations to support the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) counter-Boko Haram operations.(Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Africa Public Affairs/Released)

The four-day conference focused on a Global Network of Navies approach to enhancing collaborative efforts to achieve maritime security in the maritime domain around Africa.

Twenty-two African partner nations and nine international partners gathered in Naples, Italy for the 2016 Africa Partnership Station Annual Planning Conference held from 3-6 May. The U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) hosted the event which enables coastal African participants to build maritime security capacity through security force assistance events and engagements.

“The men sent my parents away at the point of their AK-47, then they raped me.”

Cynthia Petrigh, from Beyond Peace, discusses gender based violence at U.S. AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Commandant Ngarhordje Dedjiri and her colleague from Chad hear opening comments at the U.S. AFRICOM's Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Group photo of participants of the U.S. AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Former African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Commander, Maj. Gen. Fred Mugisha draws an African spear as an analogy to describe the challenge of executing peace operations where multiple systems of law are in use, and soldiers require the support of their command in confronting extraordinary logistical challenges." Mugisha delivered the keynote address at the U.S. AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Legal Counsel to the Commander, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Marine Col. Donald Riley delivers comments at AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Deputy Chief of Legal Services for the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, Col. Godard Busingye, (left), and President of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL), Prof. Fausto Pocar at the U.S. AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

U.S. Marines and U.S. Embassy Benin officials meet with Benin’s Minister of Interior Placide Azande Aug. 28, to discuss the partner-nation training that will take place between U.S. Marines and sailors and policemen with Benin's National Surveillance Police. Azande met with the Marines and U.S. Embassy Benin Chargé d'affaires Todd Whatley to discuss the country’s security concerns and to express his gratitude for the Marines' willingness to train the National Surveillance Police to secure its border. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan A. Peterson)

U.S. and Benin officials met Aug. 28 to discuss the partner-nation training that will take place soon.

U.S. Naval course brings 33 naval leaders from Africa and Europe to discuss maritime issues of mutual concern in effort to improve war-fighting capability.

NAPLES, Italy (March. 2, 2015) Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. James Foggo, III, welcomes Gabon navy Chief Rear Adm. Yves Keba Malekou as he arrives for the 2015 Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) Flag Course Africa at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, March 2, 2015. During this weeklong CFMCC course, facilitated by the U.S. Naval War College, 33 senior naval leaders from maritime countries in Europe and Africa will participate in seminars and discussions focusing on the effective employment of naval forces in a joint, coalition or interagency environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel P. Schumacher/Released)

Gate sentries are the first line of defense, not only for force protection but also for enforcement of base orders. A strong show of force not only deters potentially dangerous activity but it creates overall stability, safety and security for the base being protected.

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Vice Adm. Mathew Quashie, Chief of Defence for the Ghana Armed Forces, traveled from Accra to meet with leaders of U.S. Africa Command on April 7 at the Command’s headquarters at Kelly Barracks, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. Accompanying

The Government of Benin unveiled its final draft of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan, and the Military Support to Civil Authorities (MSCA) Disaster Contingency Plan during a ceremony held in Cotonou, Benin, March 17, 2014.