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Exercise Phoenix Express 2018 Kicks-Off in Souda Bay

SOUDA BAY, Greece (May 3, 2018) Capt. Amy Egeli, center, exercise director of Phoenix Express 2018, participates in the exercise’s pre-sail conference, May 3, 2018. Phoenix Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, and is designed to improve regional cooperation, increase maritime domain awareness information sharing practices, and operational capabilities to enhance efforts to achieve safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Kledzik 

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Exercise Phoenix Express 2018 Kicks-Off in Souda Bay

SOUDA BAY, Greece (May 3, 2018) Capt. Amy Egeli, exercise director of Phoenix Express 2018, delivers remarks at the exercise’s pre-sail conference, May 3, 2018. Phoenix Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, and is designed to improve regional cooperation, increase maritime domain awareness information sharing practices, and operational capabilities to enhance efforts to achieve safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Kledzik  

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Exercise Phoenix Express 2018 Kicks-Off in Souda Bay

SOUDA BAY, Greece (April 30, 2018) Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Greece, Noureddine Bardad-Daidj, arrives in Souda Bay, Greece, for exercise Phoenix Express 2018, April 30. Phoenix Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, and is designed to improve regional cooperation, increase maritime domain awareness information sharing practices, and operational capabilities to enhance efforts to achieve safety and security in the Mediterranean sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik 

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Exercise Phoenix Express 2018 Kicks-Off in Souda Bay

SOUDA BAY, Greece -- Lt. Irvin Pajarillo, exercise planner for exercise Phoenix Express 2018, delivers remarks at the exercise’s pre-sail conference, May 3, 2018. Phoenix Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, and is designed to improve regional cooperation, increase maritime domain awareness information sharing practices, and operational capabilities to enhance efforts to achieve safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Kledzik 

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Exercise Phoenix Express 2018 Kicks-Off in Souda Bay

SOUDA BAY, Greece (May 3, 2018) Capt. Amy Egeli, exercise director of Phoenix Express 2018, delivers remarks at the exercise’s pre-sail conference, May 3, 2018. Phoenix Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, and is designed to improve regional cooperation, increase maritime domain awareness information sharing practices, and operational capabilities to enhance efforts to achieve safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Kledzik 

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Exercise Phoenix Express 2018 Kicks-Off in Souda Bay

SOUDA BAY, Greece (May 3, 2018) Capt. Amy Egeli, left, Libian Coast Guard Commodore Essaid Rohuma Mohamed Abu Nwara, center, and Cmdr. Jon Sunderland pose for a photo during exercise Phoenix Express 2018, May 3. Phoenix Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, and is designed to improve regional cooperation, increase maritime domain awareness information sharing practices, and operational capabilities to enhance efforts to achieve safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Kledzik 

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Exercise Phoenix Express 2018 Kicks-Off in Souda Bay

SOUDA BAY, Greece (May 3, 2018) Cmdr. Jon Sunderland, officer in tactical command for exercise Phoenix Express 2018, left, speaks with Libian Coast Guard Commodore Essaid Rohuma Mohamed Abu Nwara during the exercise’s opening ceremony, May 3, 2018. Phoenix Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, and is designed to improve regional cooperation, increase maritime domain awareness information sharing practices, and operational capabilities to enhance efforts to achieve safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Kledzik 

Phoenix Express, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet (CNE-CNA/C6F), 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 offers an excellent forum to exercise and assess maritime operations,” said Cmdr. Jon Sunderland, Phoenix Express 2018 officer in tactical command. “Across multiple countries, scenarios offer the opportunity to execute operational planning, perfect information sharing, and employ the Rule of Law.”

This year's exercise control group will be hosted at the NMIOTC located in Souda Bay, Greece, but training will take place throughout the Mediterranean Sea, to include territorial waters of North African nations.

The at-sea portion of the exercise will test 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 will work together to practice search and rescue procedures in response to vessels in distress.

Phoenix Express exercise director, Capt. Amy Egeli said, "Phoenix Express fosters trust between participant nations by promoting mutual understanding and cooperation. These established and tested partnerships will help us overcome the challenges that threaten freedom and security in the maritime domain."

Nations scheduled to participate in Phoenix Express 2018 include 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.

Phoenix Express, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet (CNE-CNA/C6F), 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 offers an excellent forum to exercise and assess maritime operations,” said Cmdr. Jon Sunderland, Phoenix Express 2018 officer in tactical command. “Across multiple countries, scenarios offer the opportunity to execute operational planning, perfect information sharing, and employ the Rule of Law.”

This year's exercise control group will be hosted at the NMIOTC located in Souda Bay, Greece, but training will take place throughout the Mediterranean Sea, to include territorial waters of North African nations.

The at-sea portion of the exercise will test 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 will work together to practice search and rescue procedures in response to vessels in distress.

Phoenix Express exercise director, Capt. Amy Egeli said, "Phoenix Express fosters trust between participant nations by promoting mutual understanding and cooperation. These established and tested partnerships will help us overcome the challenges that threaten freedom and security in the maritime domain."

Nations scheduled to participate in Phoenix Express 2018 include 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.