Updated
Royal Moroccan Navy Participates in Exercise Saharan Express 2015 – DoD Live
US and Moroccan forces participate in Exercise Saharan Express 2015, a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored multinational maritime exercise designed to increase maritime safety and security in the waters of West Africa:
Members of a Moroccan navy boarding team prepare to take part in a Proliferation Security Initiative scenario aboard USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) during Exercise Saharan Express 2015, April 24. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joshua Davies/Released)
Members of the Royal Moroccan Navy patrol ship RMN Bir Anzarane (341) conducted a proliferation security initiative (PSI) boarding on April 24, as part of Exercise Saharan Express 2015.
Bir Anzarane’s team boarded USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), which has played the part of a target vessel throughout the exercise, to familiarize Moroccan forces through realistic scenarios for countering illicit trafficking.
QUOTES:
“The Moroccans are key partners in the PSI mission and proved their professionalism and commitment to the initiative with an excellent boarding here on Spearhead.”
– Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Smuda, Exercise Saharan Express 2015 maritime interdiction operations assessor
“It is rewarding to partner with Morocco and share an active role in exercising operationally through the Proliferation Security Initiative in this manner. We practice together through this exercise and others like it so we can train and demonstrate our capability and commitment to counter illicit proliferation activities in this vital region. This is a key part of Saharan Express and other exercises in the Express series. The exercise benefits greatly from our operational collaboration with the Government of Morocco on this important initiative, and we hope to continue that partnership in the future.”
– Capt. Jean O’Brien, Exercise Saharan Express exercise director…[Full Story]