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HVBSS Team Shares Techniques with PE09 Partner Nations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090502-06
Release Date: 5/2/2009 3:08:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Whitfield M. Palmer

SOUDA BAY, Greece (NNS) -- Sailors from Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF) Squadron Team 2, Helicopter Visit Board Search and Seizure (HVBSS) Team 4 participated in fast-roping exercises with Sailors and Marines from nations participating in exercise Phoenix Express 2009 (PE09) in Souda Bay April 30.

The exercises took place on a U.S. CH-60 Seahawk helicopter assigned to USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) and a Greek CH-60 Seahawk helicopter.

PE09 is a two-week exercise designed to strengthen regional maritime partnerships and is part of the overall U.S. Africa Command theater security cooperation strategy to enhance regional stability through increased interoperability and partnership among participating nations. Participating countries include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Senegal, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Italy, France, Malta, Croatia, and the United States.

The U.S. HVBSS team is participating in training exercises with Greek instructors from the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operations Training Center (NMIOTC) to observe and expose themselves to the tactics, techniques, and procedures of other nations participating in PE09.

"Phoenix Express is in its fourth year and these exercises have really allowed us to grow the curriculum specific to the needs of the countries participating," said Lt. Justin Burney, officer in charge of HVBSS team 4. "The facilities here in Souda Bay offer increased learning capabilities with the Greek training ship ARIS and the Container Exercise (CONEX) facility."

MESF's primary mission is force protection, including anti-terrorism force protection missions. Units conduct force protection of specific shipping and naval vessels operating in the in-shore and coastal areas, anchorage and harbors, from bare beach to sophisticated facilities. MESF units deploy worldwide to detect, deter, and defend an area, unit or high value asset.

"We go all over the world and work with militaries from many different nations," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Thomas Hernandez (AW/SW), HVBSS team member. "With this training, we are able to combine all of the positive things that we observe from each other and possibly incorporate into our own operations."

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.