Exercise Obangame Express 2020 has been canceled after careful consideration with participants and host-nation countries amid the new coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, announced the US Africa Command (AFRICOM). Exercise Obangame Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of participating nations to counter sea-based illicit activity. The drill is one of three African regional "Express" series exercises sponsored by US Africa Command and conducted annually by US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US 6th Fleet. "We continue to remain on top of the COVID-19 situation and take appropriate action to protect our troops and African partners," said Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of AFRICOM. "We may reduce in scope the size or cancel an exercise, but we will continue to lean forward to make sure troops in Africa have what they need." While this year’s exercise has been canceled, planning continues for a senior leader seminar and Obangame Express 2021. The US routinely exercises with partners in Africa to build enduring relationships and combined capacity to ensure the safety and security of the regional maritime environment, said AFRICOM. “The safety and protection of all of our forces — US and partner nation — is a priority. Modifying the exercise still improves readiness while minimizing risk to protect both US and partner forces,” added Townsend. Scheduled to start on March 23, the exercise will now include only portions that do not require lodging of troops in close quarters. It will also include the academics portion that has already begun. The decision to modify the size and scale of the exercise was made after several weeks of monitoring the COVID-19 situation and in close coordination with host nation military and government leaders, the statement read. Maj Gen. Roger Cloutier, US Army Africa commander, said that the partnership with Moroccan, Tunisian and Senegal forces has brought many benefits. Working with partners helps the Army “forge a coalition across multiple countries, force components, national and international organizations,” he said. Meanwhile, planning for next year’s African Lion exercise is already underway, AFRICOM concluded.