Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks to participants about the importance of maritime security at the final planning event for Exercise Cutlass Express 2015. Cutlass Express is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored multinational maritime exercise designed to increase maritime safety and security in the waters off East Africa. Mabus is in South Africa to thank government and military leadership for their role in building regional partnerships, peacekeeping operations, and their support of counter-piracy operations in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales/Released)