Exercise Phoenix Express 2024 Concludes in Tunisia



By U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs United States Africa Command TUNIS, Tunisia Nov 15, 2024
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 1 image

U.S. 6th Fleet and Tunisian Naval Forces hosted the closing ceremony for exercise Phoenix Express, concluding the 19th iteration of Phoenix Express on November 15, 2024.

This year’s exercise was hosted in Tunisia with training taking place throughout the Southern Mediterranean Sea and territorial waters of participating North African nations. Members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army worked alongside African and European Allies and partners to incorporate the use of the multinational communication center (MNCC), improving communications among maritime forces from Europe, North Africa, and the United States.

This 12-day exercise brings together North African, European, and U.S. maritime forces as part of a global network of maritime security forces to enhance cooperation and expertise in maritime security operations in the Southern Mediterranean Sea.

“Phoenix Express is one of the most significant ways our nations collaborate,” said Vice Adm. J.T.  Anderson, Commander U.S. 6th Fleet. “It is crucial to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information sharing, and tactical expertise with our Allies and partner nations to counter sea-based illicit activity in North Africa and the Southern Mediterranean Sea.”

Phoenix Express focuses on increasing the capabilities and interoperability of land- and sea-based maritime security operations. The use of the MNCC and maritime operations center sought to improve communications with participating Allies and partner nations. Ship-boarding, diving, and search and rescue exercises allowed participating nations to share information, refine tactics, and improve techniques to bolster maritime security in the region.

“Tunisia is honored to host Phoenix Express 2024,” said Commodore Noureddine Chakroun, Tunisian Navy Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations. “Our strategic location in the Mediterranean allowed us to facilitate multinational operations that addressed shared security objectives by collectively addressing maritime security challenges.”

Participating nations included Algeria, Belgium, Georgia, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Türkiye, and the United States.

Phoenix Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, facilitated by Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns.

Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

More in Partnerships
Dr. Jason Womack Inspires Senior Enlisted Leaders with Visionary Leadership Framework at ASELC 2025 in Morocco
RABAT, Morocco – June 12, 2025 — On the final day of the 7th annual Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (ASELC), Dr. Jason “JW” Womack, Senior Director for Organizational Engagement and Leader Development for the U.S. Space Force, delivered a keynote that resonated with senior enlisted leaders from Africa and the United States.
Read more
Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Read more
U.S. and Kenya Conclude Successful 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi
The United States and Kenya successfully concluded the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD) in Nairobi, Kenya, uniting senior military leaders from approximately 37 African nations to strengthen partnerships, advance African-led security solutions, and address critical challenges such as terrorism and regional instability, May 28-29, 2025.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Dr. Jason Womack Inspires Senior Enlisted Leaders with Visionary Leadership Framework at ASELC 2025 in Morocco
RABAT, Morocco – June 12, 2025 — On the final day of the 7th annual Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (ASELC), Dr. Jason “JW” Womack, Senior Director for Organizational Engagement and Leader Development for the U.S. Space Force, delivered a keynote that resonated with senior enlisted leaders from Africa and the United States.
Read more
Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Read more
U.S. and Kenya Conclude Successful 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi
The United States and Kenya successfully concluded the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD) in Nairobi, Kenya, uniting senior military leaders from approximately 37 African nations to strengthen partnerships, advance African-led security solutions, and address critical challenges such as terrorism and regional instability, May 28-29, 2025.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Dr. Jason Womack Inspires Senior Enlisted Leaders with Visionary Leadership Framework at ASELC 2025 in Morocco
RABAT, Morocco – June 12, 2025 — On the final day of the 7th annual Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (ASELC), Dr. Jason “JW” Womack, Senior Director for Organizational Engagement and Leader Development for the U.S. Space Force, delivered a keynote that resonated with senior enlisted leaders from Africa and the United States.
Read more
Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Read more
U.S. and Kenya Conclude Successful 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi
The United States and Kenya successfully concluded the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD) in Nairobi, Kenya, uniting senior military leaders from approximately 37 African nations to strengthen partnerships, advance African-led security solutions, and address critical challenges such as terrorism and regional instability, May 28-29, 2025.
Read more