Cutlass Express exercise in full swing |06 February 2016

The US facilitated exercise Cutlass Express 2016 (CE16) is currently taking place in the western Indian Ocean, focusing on cooperation and teamwork.

Its principal goal is to build and help maintain the capability to protect the free flow of trade by countering illicit maritime activity.

Seychelles is hosting the fifth CE16, which was officially launched last week at the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) base, and in which 18 nations are taking part.

The eight-day maritime exercise is scheduled to wrap up today.

The exercise is centred around the Western Indian Ocean with East Africa partner nations working together in concert.

Captain Jean Atala from the SCG told Seychelles NATION that such exercise will enable all the 18 forces taking part to be more productive in tackling piracy and illicit maritime activities such as drug trafficking.

“The exercise is a time and opportunity for all the forces to practice what they have learned and put it into action. All the nations have different scenarios to undertake and we started such exercise last Saturday,” captain Atala said.

He added that Seychelles is taking part in the CE16 with three patrol boats and a military plane.

The exercise is taking place in the vicinity of two operational hubs:  Djibouti and Port Victoria, Seychelles and includes an in-port preparatory phase and three days of at sea scenarios meant to test and provide feedback.

Nations taking part include Australia, Canada, Comoros, Djibouti, France, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States.

The CE16 closing ceremony will take place today where all those taking part will receive certificate for their accomplishment.

The accompanying photos show some of the at sea scenarios taken on Thursday.