Inaugural symposium connects U.S., European, African senior naval infantry leaders

Through participation in the forum, allied and partner naval infantries increase understanding of the operating environment, broaden perspectives on maritime security, and identify ways to increase capability, capacity and interoperability.


“Promoting maritime security on the African coast is a shared responsibility and we will come up with shared solutions.” - Maj. Gen. King
By U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa Stuttgart, Germany Jul 23, 2021
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 2 images

U.S. Marine, European and African naval infantry senior leaders met for the Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa on July 15 by video conference to organize future exercises and endeavors.

NILS-A is a multinational, Africa-focused forum designed to bring together partner nations with marine forces and naval infantries to develop crisis response capabilities and foster relationships aimed at improving Africa’s maritime domain security. Forum discussions were hosted by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa commander, Maj. Gen. Tracy King, and Senegalese Naval Chief of Staff, Rear Adm. Oumar Wade.

Nearly 20 countries throughout Europe and Africa attended the symposium.

“Promoting maritime security on the African coast is a shared responsibility and we will come up with shared solutions,” King said. “None of us can do this alone, we must do it together.”

Plans of attending the NILS-A conference in Dakar, Senegal, were halted to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19. Next year's event is scheduled to ratify the NILS-A charter discussed during the virtual conference. The NILS-A charter is the first step in building international partnership for maritime security on the coast of Africa.

“We are Marines working with Marines,” King said. “We are very proud of what we accomplished today and this is a powerful first step in finding shared solutions.”

Through participation in the forum, allied and partner naval infantries increase understanding of the operating environment, broaden perspectives on maritime security, and identify ways to increase capability, capacity and interoperability.

More in Readiness
What is a Combatant Command?
A Combatant Command is a military organization that coordinates and directs operations in a specific area of responsibility. The Department of Defense splits their efforts around the world by region, and each Combatant Command is responsible for military operations in its assigned area.
Read more
AFRICOM Takes Steps to Combat Human Trafficking and Child Soldiering
The Department of Defense’s Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Program Management Office (PMO) conducted a site visit to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), aiming to address the significant challenges of human trafficking, including child soldiering, across Africa.
Read more
AFRICOM Hosts 2024 Joint Staff Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) Worldwide Workshop
AFRICOM recently hosted the Joint Staff 2024 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) Worldwide Workshop, a key event in the Joint Logistics Enterprise calendar.
Read more
More in Readiness
What is a Combatant Command?
A Combatant Command is a military organization that coordinates and directs operations in a specific area of responsibility. The Department of Defense splits their efforts around the world by region, and each Combatant Command is responsible for military operations in its assigned area.
Read more
AFRICOM Takes Steps to Combat Human Trafficking and Child Soldiering
The Department of Defense’s Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Program Management Office (PMO) conducted a site visit to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), aiming to address the significant challenges of human trafficking, including child soldiering, across Africa.
Read more
AFRICOM Hosts 2024 Joint Staff Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) Worldwide Workshop
AFRICOM recently hosted the Joint Staff 2024 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) Worldwide Workshop, a key event in the Joint Logistics Enterprise calendar.
Read more
More in Readiness
What is a Combatant Command?
A Combatant Command is a military organization that coordinates and directs operations in a specific area of responsibility. The Department of Defense splits their efforts around the world by region, and each Combatant Command is responsible for military operations in its assigned area.
Read more
AFRICOM Takes Steps to Combat Human Trafficking and Child Soldiering
The Department of Defense’s Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Program Management Office (PMO) conducted a site visit to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), aiming to address the significant challenges of human trafficking, including child soldiering, across Africa.
Read more
AFRICOM Hosts 2024 Joint Staff Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) Worldwide Workshop
AFRICOM recently hosted the Joint Staff 2024 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) Worldwide Workshop, a key event in the Joint Logistics Enterprise calendar.
Read more