Home to over one billion residents, Africa presents some of the highest linguistic diversity in the world.
This language mosaic stretches from the Afroasiatic linguistic groups in North Africa to the Horn, to the Niger-Congo languages in West, Central, and Southeast Africa, to the Indo-European language groups on the Southern tip of the continent.
For Cutlass Express 2021, that constitutes dozens of languages from participating countries: Comoros, Djibouti, Georgia, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Which underscores the value of effective, multifaceted translators like Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Marcelin Aggossou who helps navigate both language and cultural barriers between partner nations.
“Being an interpreter is not only knowing the language but also knowing the technical terms,” said Aggossou. “Its hard to take someone who doesn’t have the background or doesn’t have the right word.”
Originally from the West African nation of Benin, the French-speaking Aggossou is a Reservist currently assigned to Navy Reserve Detachment 118. He was the perfect choice to help support CE21 because, as a native French speaker, he could help countries like Djibouti and Comoros connect through all aspects of the maritime exercise.
“It’s easier being a native French speaker and very difficult to translate word by word if you learned the language second hand,” said Aggossou. “It’s a combination of knowing the subjects, having a good memory, and being fluent in the language.”
Multinational exercises pose complex intercultural challenges as participants collaborate in the interest of common shared goals within maritime rule of law, counter-proliferation interdiction, and regional stabilization in East Africa. For Sailors like Aggossou, it’s the understanding of the value of his contribution to these common goals that fulfills him with the knowledge that he is making a difference.
“I have the satisfaction knowing that I’m doing something that’s helping other partners to learn what’s going on,” said Aggossou. “Especially those who speak French. I feel helpful and it makes me happy to feel helpful.”
But translating isn’t as easy as a directly converting one language to another said Aggossou. A lot of the value of an interpreter is enhancing communication by building a bridge between concepts and their target language and culture.
One of the more challenging concepts discussed during CE21 was maritime jurisdiction within the international rule of law class taught by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Law of Sea expert Tiago Zanella. Zanella willingly admits to the complexities of international rule of law when you begin to consider the – at times conflicted - details of international agreements. That’s where translators like Aggossou really shine as they help communicate both understanding and meaning.
“Many of the Djiboutian Coast Guardsman I was working with understood what Zanella was talking about but there were still questions about how it applied directly to them,” said Aggossou. “I was able to help facilitate conversation between the instructor and class to help make sure people felt comfortable with the material.”
And for Aggossou, being able to play a vital role in supporting exercise participants’ growth is one of the reasons why he is so pleased to support the exercise.
“It’s really important supporting African nations, training them so together we can work as partners,” said Aggossou. “We can combat human trafficking, human smuggling, illegal drugs, and other criminal activities.”
CE 21 is one of three African regional “Express” series exercises sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF), U.S. Sixth Fleet (C6F) undertaken to provide African forces and international partners with collaborative opportunities on comprehensive maritime security concerns.
NAVEUR-NAVAF-C6F, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren serves as the Acting Chief of Navy Reserve and Acting Commander, Navy Reserve Force. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Navy Reserve personnel and operations worldwide, supporting the readiness and integration of Reserve forces across the fleet. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Adm. Lofgren brings extensive operational and command experience across maritime expeditionary, coastal riverine, and surface warfare missions, including service in senior leadership roles supporting U.S. naval operations in multiple geographic combatant commands. His career reflects a sustained commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and the effective employment of Navy Reserve forces in support of national security objectives.
Rear Adm. Luke Frost is a Surface Warfare Officer with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across the fleet. He has served in senior command roles at sea and ashore, including command of major surface combatants and amphibious forces operating throughout the Central Command and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility. As a Flag Officer, Rear Adm. Frost served as Director, Reserve Warfare (OPNAV N0959) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he provided oversight and strategic guidance for Reserve force integration and readiness. His career reflects a deep commitment to warfighting excellence, joint operations, and the effective employment of naval forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.
Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a Naval Aviator with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across both active and reserve components. He has served in multiple senior command and flag assignments supporting naval aviation, expeditionary operations, and installation readiness, including leadership roles within U.S. Fleet Forces and Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A combat-experienced aviator, Rear Adm. Saccomando brings deep expertise in joint operations, force integration, and operational readiness, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing naval capabilities and supporting U.S. national security objectives worldwide.
Rear Adm. Greg Emery is a Navy Reserve flag officer with extensive leadership experience across naval oceanography, intelligence, and information warfare. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served in a wide range of operational, command, and staff assignments supporting global naval and joint operations, including senior leadership roles within Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Emery brings deep expertise in intelligence integration, operational support, and information warfare, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing decision advantage and mission readiness across the fleet.
Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve, advising on the readiness, welfare, and professional development of approximately 59,000 Reserve Component Sailors supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operations worldwide. A seasoned Command Master Chief, she brings extensive experience across aviation, expeditionary, and information warfare communities, with senior enlisted leadership assignments at the unit, regional, and force levels. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to Sailor advocacy, operational readiness, and the effective integration of Navy Reserve forces in support of national defense objectives.
Command Master Chief Lyons brings extensive operational and shore-based leadership experience across aviation, logistics, manpower, and readiness organizations within the Navy Reserve enterprise. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2016, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor, Navy Personnel Command, Maritime Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. An Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is recognized for sustained excellence in leadership and readiness, earning multiple personal, joint, and unit awards throughout his career.
Command Master Chief Louvier enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 and brings extensive aviation maintenance and readiness leadership experience across multiple Fleet Logistics, Strike Fighter, Helicopter, and Reserve aviation commands. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2015, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at VR-56, Commander, Tactical Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. An Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and multiple executive leadership programs and has earned numerous personal and unit awards for sustained excellence in leadership and mission readiness.
Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Sacramento. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2002, and completed recruit training and Electrician’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His career spans operational, reserve, aviation, and senior enlisted leadership assignments, and he currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve.