Exercise Phoenix Express 2018 Concludes in Souda Bay

Participating nations included Algeria, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United States



U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs May 16, 2018
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 6 images

SOUDA BAY, Greece - Exercise Phoenix Express 2018, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet (CNE-CNA/C6F), concluded with a closing ceremony at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center (NMIOTC), here on May 11.

Phoenix Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, increase maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices, and operational capabilities in order to enhance efforts to promote safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

“Phoenix Express 2018 was a huge success for all participating partners,” said Capt. Amy Egeli, exercise director. “It is really important for the United States to show their presence in the Mediterranean and to develop relationships with our partners in northern Africa and southern Europe."

This year's exercise control group was hosted at the NMIOTC located in Souda Bay, and training took place throughout the Mediterranean Sea, to include territorial waters off the coast of northern African nations.

The at-sea portion of the exercise tested North African, European, and U.S. maritime forces' abilities to respond to irregular migration and combat illicit trafficking and the movement of illegal goods and materials. Additionally, participating forces worked together to practice search and rescue procedures in response to vessels in distress.

"I am inspired by the level of participation and quality of the training conducted during Phoenix Express 2018. Our strong partnerships and ability to work closely together make us all safer and more secure," said Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. "Over the past 14 years, Phoenix Express has evolved in complexity. This type of realistic training to counter illicit maritime activities helps prepare us to face current and future challenges together."

Nations participating in this iteration Phoenix Express included Algeria, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United States.

Exercise Phoenix Express is one of three CNE-CNA/C6F-facilitated regional exercises part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities amongst African forces and international partners that addresses maritime security concerns.

U.S. 6th Fleet, 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.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to enable enduring relationships and increase vigilance and resilience in Europe and Africa.

Click here to view more photos from Exercise Phoenix Express 2018.4

More in Readiness
USS Hershel “Woody” Williams arrives in Tema, Ghana
The U.S. and Ghana share a strong history of promoting maritime peace and stability in the Gulf of Guinea. The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived in Tema, Ghana for a routine port visit, Oct. 2, 2023.
Read more
Communications directorate keeps HOA connected
The Expeditionary Communications Directorate’s overall mission is to provide the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with the best advice on equipment and capability while advancing cyber defense, and joint and coalition interoperability. This enables the joint force to develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic access, influence, operations, and regional security throughout East Africa.
Read more
U.S. Africa Command Hosts the 2023 Strategic Religious Affairs Conference
U.S. Africa Command held its annual strategic religious affairs conference at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, from Aug. 15-17, 2023. Chaplains and their Senior Enlisted Religious Affairs Advisors joined from U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) Service Component Commands, U.S. National Guards State Partnership Program, Department of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. European Command.
Read more
More in Readiness
USS Hershel “Woody” Williams arrives in Tema, Ghana
The U.S. and Ghana share a strong history of promoting maritime peace and stability in the Gulf of Guinea. The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived in Tema, Ghana for a routine port visit, Oct. 2, 2023.
Read more
Communications directorate keeps HOA connected
The Expeditionary Communications Directorate’s overall mission is to provide the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with the best advice on equipment and capability while advancing cyber defense, and joint and coalition interoperability. This enables the joint force to develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic access, influence, operations, and regional security throughout East Africa.
Read more
U.S. Africa Command Hosts the 2023 Strategic Religious Affairs Conference
U.S. Africa Command held its annual strategic religious affairs conference at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, from Aug. 15-17, 2023. Chaplains and their Senior Enlisted Religious Affairs Advisors joined from U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) Service Component Commands, U.S. National Guards State Partnership Program, Department of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. European Command.
Read more
More in Readiness
USS Hershel “Woody” Williams arrives in Tema, Ghana
The U.S. and Ghana share a strong history of promoting maritime peace and stability in the Gulf of Guinea. The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived in Tema, Ghana for a routine port visit, Oct. 2, 2023.
Read more
Communications directorate keeps HOA connected
The Expeditionary Communications Directorate’s overall mission is to provide the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with the best advice on equipment and capability while advancing cyber defense, and joint and coalition interoperability. This enables the joint force to develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic access, influence, operations, and regional security throughout East Africa.
Read more
U.S. Africa Command Hosts the 2023 Strategic Religious Affairs Conference
U.S. Africa Command held its annual strategic religious affairs conference at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, from Aug. 15-17, 2023. Chaplains and their Senior Enlisted Religious Affairs Advisors joined from U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) Service Component Commands, U.S. National Guards State Partnership Program, Department of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. European Command.
Read more