U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet
February 26, 2023

Multinational Maritime Exercise Cutlass Express 2023 Set to Begin

Multinational forces from East Africa, Europe, and North America will come together for exercise Cutlass Express 2023 (CE23), beginning with an opening ceremony in Djibouti on Mar. 5, 2023.

Conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) and sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), CE23 is designed to…increase interoperability between participating nations.

CE23 is one of three NAVAF-facilitated regional exercises that provides collaborative opportunities for African, U.S., and international partners….

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This year’s exercise will be based in Djibouti, Kenya, and Mauritius, with multiple shore-based and at-sea training events along the eastern coast of Africa. Additionally, CE23 will be linked with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s International Maritime Exercise, eliminating regional seams and increasing combined global capabilities and interoperability.

The 15 nations scheduled to participate in CE23 include Canada, Comoros, Djibouti, France, Georgia, Greece, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, United Kingdom, and the United States.

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Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.