Maritime professionals from the United States, South and East Africa, Europe, and several Indian Ocean nations met for the Cutlass Express 2016 Main Planning Event (MPE) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Aug. 4 - 7.

The four-day planning event aimed to further develop exercise scenarios, participant force offerings, schedule of events and participant manning for Cutlass Express 2016.

Quotes:
"This coming year, I want to be able to focus on creating a structure for our maritime operations centers (MOCs) and getting them to operate effectively with other MOCs from regional countries. This MPE laid the groundwork for us to establish something that will hopefully create a fruitful exercise for all of us."
- Lt. Hans Radegonde
executive officer, Seychelles Coast Guard

"The main focus for this MPE is to have all of the MOCs work together in an orderly fashion and understand what the tactical and standard operating procedures are for real-world operations. It is important that we pay attention to all the details so we can move forward to the Final Planning Event in an efficient manner."
- Special Agent Theodore Mordecai,
NCIS Transnational Crime Unit Bahrain

"The final scenarios will depend on what each host nation coast guard or navy is proficient in. Each team is unique and can provide their expertise in their primary techniques. We can all learn from one another through this exchange of ideas."
- U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Heidi Bevis,
future operations officer and Maritime Engagement Team supervisor

Quick Facts:
* Cutlass Express is one of four regional Express Series exercises facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet that focus on increasing interagency capabilities in counter-piracy, counter illicit trafficking, and other maritime threats in the waters off East Africa.

* U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

* Cutlass Express is scheduled to take place in early 2016 within several exercise operational areas along East Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/