US Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) recently hosted its US Maritime Security Co-operation and Attaché Symposium (MSCAS), an annual event held in mid-January at the US Navy’s (USN’s) Naval Support Activity (NSA) facility in Naples, Italy.
The symposium’s purpose was to discuss the importance of developing relationships with allied and partner countries, advocating for US naval operations and activities in Europe and Africa, and strengthening co-ordination and collaboration between naval forces and embassy staff, a NAVEUR-NAVAF/US 6th Fleet statement said.
The four-day symposium brought together senior USN leadership and naval attachés and was attended by over 80 USN and US Marine Corps attachés, Personnel Exchange Program Officers, and US 6th Fleet liaison officers stationed across Europe and Africa.
“This is an important forum for our maritime security co-operation and naval attaché communities to align with policy objectives, share best practices, and highlight opportunities to enhance collective maritime security across Africa and Europe,” Admiral George Wikoff, Commander, US Naval Forces Europe-Africa, said in the statement.
“In working together, our goal is to create an environment where integration, interoperability, and interchangeability can help our allies and partners,” Vice Admiral JT Anderson, Commander, US 6th Fleet, added.
“Testing tactics, techniques, and procedures for their own capabilities, in conjunction with their neighbours and their allies, is where we can help sustain an enduring, synchronised effort, not just episodic events,” Vice Adm Anderson continued.
During the symposium, Vice Adm Anderson led a roundtable for Task Force Commanders. The symposium also featured discussions facilitated by Raymond P. Owens III, Director of the Navy International Programs Office (NIPO) in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy.
The NAVEUR/NAVAF headquarters in Naples is a strategically critical hub for building USN engagement, presence, and impact across the Euro-Atlantic and African maritime theatres. Underlining the important role in building co-operation with allies, Vice Adm Anderson, as US 6th Fleet Commander, is also Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (SFN).
by Dr. Lee Willett
