The BAM ‘FUROR’ ends its participation in ‘OBANGAME EXPRESS 24’

Nineteen African littoral countries and twelve partner nations participated in this year's edition. This work supports the Yaoundé Architecture, established by the littoral countries to combat illegal activities and contribute to enhancing the Maritime Security of the Gulf of Guinea.

The multinational drill  OBANGAME EXPRESS 24 is the largest maritime drill in African Atlantic waters and is organised by the US Africa Command. This edition included naval units and observers from the navies of Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea-Equatorial Guinea, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Togo, United Kingdom and the United States. The Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African States have also participated

DRILL OBANGAME EXPRESS-24 (OE-24)

OBANGAME EXPRESS 24’ is a multinational naval drill focused on enhancing interoperability between participating countries to conduct maritime interdiction operations to address threats in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea such as counter-piracy, illegal fishing and illicit trafficking. In addition, they include training opportunities in search and rescue operations and advanced medical training and encourage the exchange of regional information related to Maritime Security.

During its participation, the BAM Furor has collaborated in a total of five exercises with units from the navies of Nigeria, Benin and Togo as well as with the maritime operations centres of these countries. Exercises conducted by the Furor have specifically been cooperative and non-cooperative ship boarding drills and counter-piracy exercises including the insertion of Nigerian special operations teams via FAST-ROPE with a Nigerian Navy helicopter.

The presence of the BAM Furor in these drills demonstrates the commitment of Spain and the Armed Forces to contribute to the training and preparation of the navies of the countries bordering the Gulf of Guidance to intervene in the theatre of operations. Contributing to the development of the maritime capabilities of littoral countries is one of the main objectives of the CMP-GdG 2024-01 deployment that has been underway since last February in African Atlantic waters.

The crew of the BAM Furor attended the closing ceremony of OE-24 which took place on 17 May in the Gabonese city of Libreville. During this day, the representatives of the participating countries and the drill coordinators exchanged experiences and gave a lecture highlighting the lessons learned from the preparation and execution of the drills. The ceremony concluded with an official fraternisation lunch presided over by the authorities of the Gabonese Navy, which was the host country for this edition of OE-24.