WEBVTT

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- [Chris] Okay, my name's
Colonel Chris Budihas.

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I am at the U.S. Africa Command.

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I am the

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Division Chief for the training readiness

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and exercise division.

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Today, we're here at the Cutlass Express

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opening day ceremony, which is the kickoff

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of an exercise between us
and the Central Command.

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Essentially, what we're doing here is

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marrying up two maritime exercises

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between both the kind
of commands to work with

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African and other international partners

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to secure the global commons

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where the exercise will
operate between the Red Sea,

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the northern portion of the Indian Ocean,

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and wrap around into the Persian Gulf.

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The importance of this exercise

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is our ability to work
with Central Command

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and Navy Central to essentially,

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with our international partners,
secure the global commons

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so any nation can
transit through this area

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and not have to worry
about their global trade

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being interfered with amalactors.

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Yeah, the meaning of this exercise,

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essentially as we work
with Central Command

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and secure the global commons

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is we take a look at,

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you know, international trade.

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Essentially 80% of international trade

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comes through

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through Seaborne traffic
and our ability to ensure

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that these maritime waters remain secure.

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Well, ensure that all nations
have the ability to trade

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essentially through the Red Sea

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and through the northern
portion of Indian Ocean.