Navy Vessels Launch into Phase Two of Exercise Phoenix Express 2024 Adventure

In a significant move towards enhancing maritime cooperation, allied and partner navies embarked from La Goulette Naval Base in Tunis, Tunisia, to participate in the at-sea phase of Phoenix Express 2024 (PE24) on November 9, 2024. This annual naval exercise, held in the Mediterranean Sea, aims to bolster the maritime security operations capabilities of participating countries.

The exercise puts a spotlight on a wide array of operations, including ship boarding, airborne maritime patrols, and search and rescue activities. The at-sea phase serves as a practical test for vessels and maritime operation centers (MOCs) to consolidate their skills in real-world scenarios.

“This phase is our chance to execute the strategies and skills we’ve honed over the first week of the exercise,” said Capt. Harish Patel, U.S. exercise director for Phoenix Express. “It’s crucial for enhancing communication between ships and shore across multinational MOCs,” he continued, highlighting the importance of seamless cooperation among diverse forces.

The exercise features a diverse fleet of naval vessels, including the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams from the United States, Morocco’s Sigma Class Frigate Sultan Moulay Ismail, Italy’s OPV Spica, and Libya’s Landing Tank Ship Ibn Ouf among others. Together, these ships represent the varied maritime capabilities of participating nations.

Commodore Nejib Ben Saada, the Tunisian exercise director, emphasized the challenging nature of orchestrating such a large-scale international operation. “The at-sea portion is about elevating interoperability and refining our communication capabilities,” he noted, underscoring the vital role of smooth coordination among the 12 countries involved.

The activities at sea not only assess the readiness of ships and their crews but also enable MOCs to conduct essential communication drills. Sharing information across borders enhances multinational cooperation by relaying a unified operational picture to tactical units on the water.

Phoenix Express 2024 offers maritime forces from North Africa, Europe, and the United States an invaluable opportunity to collaborate, exchange information, and refine their strategies to ensure safety and security in the Mediterranean. This exercise is pivotal in deterring illegal activities at sea and safeguarding NATO’s southern flank from potential threats.

Nations participating this year include Algeria, Belgium, Georgia, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Türkiye, Senegal, and the United States. The exercise is part of a broader strategic initiative led by U.S. Naval Forces Africa to address maritime security concerns through collective and comprehensive means.

Operating under the U.S. Sixth Fleet, based in Naples, Italy, the exercise once again demonstrates the pivotal role of coordinated naval operations in advancing U.S. and allied interests within Europe and Africa.