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PE09 Continues with Mock Boarding by Algerian and Turkish Sailors

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090508-10
Release Date: 5/8/2009 9:04:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Whitfield M. Palmer, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

USNS LCPL ROY M. WHEAT, At Sea (NNS) -- Algerian and Turkish Sailors conducted mock compliant boarding aboard USNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat (T-AK-3016) during the at-sea portion of Phoenix Express (PE09).

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 mock boarding was a progression of the training the Sailors had participated in last week during the land portion of PE09, according to Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Blair R. Murri (SW) an observer from the Expeditionary Maritime Security Squadron 2, Helicopter Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (HVBSS) team 6.

"This is a great opportunity for us to work Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) with members of other nations' navies," said Murri. "It allows us to facilitate MIO and at the same time builds interoperability and camaraderie."

Last week's training included fast-roping and rappelling, cargo container search, clearing corner technique, and climbing techniques and was taught by Greek instructors from the NATO Maritime Operations Training Center (NMIOTC).

"The teams have been training hard," said Hellenic Navy Lt. Serferlis Stratos, a sea training instructor and MIO observer from the NMIOTC. "Today is a chance for them to practice what they have learned in a more realistic scenario."

PE09 continues through this week at sea with further VBSS exercises including fast-rope landings conducted with helicopters from ships participating in the exercise.

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.