A US Marine Corps (USMC) explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) detachment has participated for the first time in a US Navy (USN) maritime security exercise held off the North African coast, bringing what US Sixth Fleet referred to in a statement as “new capabilities” to the exercise.
Exercise ‘Phoenix Express 2024’ took place from 5-15 November, in Mediterranean waters off Tunisia. The participating USMC detachment was drawn from two 2nd Marine Logistics Group units: EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion; and Headquarters and Service Battalion.
According to the US Sixth Fleet statement, the USMC detachment “introduced a range of techniques to counter weapons of mass destruction, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) identification and handling, mechanical and thermal breaching, and sensitive site exploitation.” CBRN training ensures the US, its allies, and partners have the capability and capacity to respond to CBRN incidents and quickly restore normal operations, the statement added.
The USMC personnel also integrated with US Coast Guard units to conduct at-sea Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training with allies and partners. Training here involved breaching hatches onboard ships, and sharing tactics for sensitive site exploitation approaches used to collect evidence aboard a target vessel.
Commenting on the VBSS training, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nick Confortini – commanding the USMC ‘Phoenix Express’ detachment – said “This training is an important aspect of overall maritime security operations. The information sharing we have done over the last 10 days has not only improved co-operation with our allies and partners, but enhanced our combined capabilities.”
‘Phoenix Express’ is designed to build regional maritime security capacity amongst US, North African, and European maritime forces to deter illicit sea-based activity. It encompasses collaboration on areas such as information sharing and developing tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). The US Sixth Fleet statement highlighted the exercise’s role in securing NATO’s and Europe’s southern flank.
‘Phoenix Express’ is led by US Naval Forces Africa, and executed by Commander, US Sixth Fleet. It is one of three regional maritime exercises conducted as part of efforts to build collaboration with partners in addressing maritime security concerns. Countries participating alongside the United States in ‘Phoenix Express 2024’ included Algeria, Belgium, Georgia, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Türkiye, and Senegal.
by Dr. Lee Willett
