 Obangame expressed 2014 as a multi-phased exercise in the Gulf of Guinea and is facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet. These relationships that get built between the United States and Africa, Europe and South America help everyone by making the seas safer so when the nations that we partner with have stronger skills to protect their areas than everyone benefits. The exercise will spend 11 days ashore, familiarizing African military personnel on search and seizure techniques, boarding procedures and first aid, as well as three days at sea, placing crews in real-world scenarios. When we are going to sea, it's a little bit dangerous. When we see the piracy and when we board vessels, how to search someone, how to find out weapons and other things, I think that's my best part of the exercise. The exercise takes place in Duwala, Cameroon and Lagos, Nigeria, with 20 countries participating. Leadership hopes this exercise can help deter maritime threats and continue to foster relationships throughout the region. Petty Officer Matt Wright, Duwala, Cameroon.