By Lt. Cmdr. Darius Radzius
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs
Morocco and Senegal’s participation in International Naval Review 250 highlighted Africa’s expanding role in maritime security cooperation, international partnerships and efforts to strengthen the safety of strategic sea routes.
The Royal Moroccan Navy frigate RMNS Mohammed VI and Senegalese Navy offshore patrol vessel Niani concluded their participation in International Naval Review 250 on July 8, highlighting African naval capabilities, leadership and international partnerships throughout the six-day gathering in New York.
The ships and their crews participated in the July 4 formal naval review on the Hudson River, welcomed the public aboard, engaged with U.S. and international sailors, and joined senior-leader and professional exchanges focused on readiness, interoperability and maritime security. Those engagements reinforced long-standing U.S. maritime relationships with Morocco and Senegal and created opportunities for sailors and leaders from across the international fleet to exchange expertise and build trust.
Together, RMNS Mohammed VI and Niani connected with communities across the New York metropolitan area. Moroccan and Senegalese sailors used public tours, cultural exchanges and community events to put their nations’ maritime partnerships on display, share their naval traditions and build people-to-people ties.
Their participation demonstrated the operational reach, crew proficiency and logistical discipline required to sustain naval forces far from home. Navigators, engineers, logisticians, communications specialists and watch teams aboard both ships maintained shipboard readiness throughout the deployment, enabling their crews to operate alongside U.S. and international partners, support public engagement and represent Morocco and Senegal throughout INR 250.
“The participation of Mohammed VI and Niani reflects a maritime partnership built on interoperability and shared security interests,” said Adm. George Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa. “Morocco and Senegal are capable, professional partners, and the relationships reinforced during INR 250 will continue to enhance regional maritime security.”
RMNS Mohammed VI gave Morocco a prominent operational presence throughout INR 250, showcasing the reach, readiness and professionalism of the Royal Moroccan Navy while giving visitors a firsthand look at their maritime capability. Similarly, Niani’s participation highlighted the Senegalese Navy’s ability to sustain long-range operations and deploy an offshore patrol vessel far beyond its national waters.
Morocco and Senegal were represented both at sea and ashore, with national and naval delegations participating in senior-leader engagements, professional exchanges and public and cultural events. Delegations from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, along with representatives from Equatorial Guinea and Kenya, also joined selected activities, broadening the African presence at INR 250 and bringing perspectives from North, West, Central and East Africa.
That broader participation reflected relationships developed through recurring exercises, training, port visits and professional exchanges involving U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet and African maritime partners. U.S.-led and multinational engagements such as African Lion, Cutlass Express, FLEETEX 250 and the African Maritime Forces Summit provide opportunities to exchange expertise, improve interoperability and strengthen the partnerships that support maritime security across Africa and the Atlantic.
RMNS Mohammed VI and Niani departed the Port of New York and New Jersey on July 8 after six days of naval review events, public engagement and professional exchanges. Their departure closed the most visible chapter of their INR 250 deployments, while the broader participation of seven African nations reflected maritime relationships spanning the continent. The partnerships, reinforced in New York, will continue through future operations, exercises, training and exchanges—extending the value of the gathering well beyond the harbor.
About U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet
Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allies, international partners and other U.S. government departments and agencies to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.
For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility.
About International Naval Review 250
International Naval Review 250 is a multinational maritime gathering hosted by the U.S. Navy in the Port of New York and New Jersey from July 3 through July 8, 2026, as the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary.
The event brings together U.S. and international naval forces, coast guards, aircraft, tall ships and maritime partners to celebrate America’s maritime heritage and highlight the relationships that support maritime security, economic prosperity and freedom of the seas. Public events include the International Naval Review, an international aerial review, ship tours, military performances and community engagements throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Source: U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet
