Rabat – Morocco’s Navy hosted members of the US Coast Guard for the regional maritime training exercise Operation Phoenix Express from May 22-26.
The annual exercise aims to “improve U.S. capabilities and interoperability with European and North African partners, and increase partner self-sufficiency in the maritime domain,” according to US African Command (AFRICOM).
Unlike other regional joint military operations, Phoenix Express allows Morocco’s naval forces to train US Coast Guard forces on military strategies unique to North Africa and the waters of the Mediterannean Sea.
The exercises focus on region-specific issues such as counterterrorism, drug trafficking, and irregular migration.
Other exercises such as prisoner detention and cargo ship protection in the Strait of Gibraltar were exclusive to Phoenix Express 2021.
“I definitely think it’s important for us to be working with partner nations, that way we can build that rapport with them and it helps us – it helps them, we learn from each other,” said US Coast Guardsman Phillip Haik in a post-operation interview.
The US and Morocco have ramped up collaborative efforts across a variety of disciplines as the two countries recently celebrated the bicentennial anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Phoenix Express 2021 precedes the larger joint military exercise African Lion 2021.
African Lion 2021 will take place in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Ghana. 5,000 service members from around the world will partake in the exercise from June 7-18.
Both military exercises strengthen ties between the US and Morocco’s armed forces and in turn, promote stability in the MENA region.
