AFM taking part in multi-lateral exercise

Armed Forces of Malta personnel will next week be participating in Exercise Phoenix Express 2008 which aims to improve maritime security in the Mediterranean Sea through increased interoperability and cooperation among regional allies from the United States, Africa and Europe.

Maritime and land forces from 13 countries will this year be participating in this large multinational naval exercise in the Mediterranean Sea between April 8-22. U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Lineberry, Jr., commander of the Nassau Strike Group said that Phoenix Express demonstrated U.S. and partner nation commitment to regional stability and maritime security.

The exercise will enable sailors to become familiar with the other navies' operating procedures and practices. When they meet in the future to conduct combined peacekeeping or humanitarian operations, or to counter trafficking in drugs, weapons, or persons in this region, they will be better able to work together.

This is the AFM's second time that it is participating in Phoenix Express, which is a US Navy 6th Fleet exercise designed to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. Malta has for this edition also hosted a planning conference at AFM Headquarters.

Picture: AFM Maritime Squadron's RDT personnel boarding one of two US Navy Seahawk helicopters that flew in from the USS Nassau earlier this morning to fly out the Maltese marines for Exercise "Phoenix Express". (Bombardier Alfred Azzopardi/AFM Press Office)