AFRICOM Commander Visits Combined Naval Forces During PE09
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090502-10
Release Date: 5/2/2009 3:11:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Jenniffer Rivera
SOUDA BAY, Greece (NNS) -- The commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited combined naval forces participating in exercise Phoenix Express (PE09) 2009 May 1.
PE09 is a two-week exercise designed to strengthen regional maritime partnerships. It part of the overall AFRICOM theater security cooperation strategy to enhance regional stability through increased interoperability and partnership among participating nations which include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Senegal, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Italy, France, Malta, Croatia, and the United States.
During his visit, Gen. William "Kip" Ward toured the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operations Training Center (NMIOTC) and Greek training ship Aris, addressed Sailors aboard USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49), and toured Turkish Ship Gokova (F 496), Algerian Ship Rais Corso (FFG 903), and Moroccan Ship Hassan II (F 612), all participating in PE09. Ward stressed the importance of interoperability and regional maritime security issues.
"If all nations are better equipped and trained it makes security better as a whole," said Ward. "Phoenix Express is a chance to bring together nations to talk to one another, work with one another, and produce what we all want which is a more secure maritime environment."
During his visit to the Rais Corso, Ward met with Surface Action Group (SAG) Commander Lt. Col. Douadi Rachid to discuss the progression of PE09.
"It's a good step forward and we look forward to seeing how everything comes together for the underway portion of the exercise," said Rachid.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur.
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