Colonel Chris Budihas, Training Readiness and Exercise Division Chief, U.S. Africa Command, speaks about Cutlass Express 2019.
Transcript
Okay, my name’s Colonel Chris Budihas. I am at the U.S. Africa Command. I am the Division Chief for the training readiness and exercise division. Today, we’re here at the Cutlass Express opening day ceremony, which is the kickoff of an exercise between us and the Central Command. Essentially, what we’re doing here is marrying up two maritime exercises between both the kind of commands to work with African and other international partners to secure the global commons where the exercise will operate between the Red Sea, the northern portion of the Indian Ocean, and wrap around into the Persian Gulf. The importance of this exercise is our ability to work with Central Command and Navy Central to essentially, with our international partners, secure the global commons so any nation can transit through this area and not have to worry about their global trade being interfered with amalactors. Yeah, the meaning of this exercise, essentially as we work with Central Command and secure the global commons is we take a look at, you know, international trade. Essentially 80% of international trade comes through through Seaborne traffic and our ability to ensure that these maritime waters remain secure. Well, ensure that all nations have the ability to trade essentially through the Red Sea and through the northern portion of Indian Ocean.