The tenth iteration of Exercise Phoenix Express serves to improve regional cooperation, increase maritime domain awareness information-sharing practices, and operational capabilities to enhance efforts to achieve safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

Gen. David Rodriguez highlighted the need for regional cooperation to address security challenges.

U.S. Army Gen. David Rodriguez, commander of U.S. Africa Command, and Mauritania Brig. Gen. Hanana Sidi Hanana, deputy chief of defense for Mauritania, pose for a photo during a gift exchange in Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 1, 2015. Hanana visited AFRICOM to discuss how the U.S. military plans and conducts joint operations at the strategic level.

The commander of the United States Africa Command General David M. Rodriguez was welcomed by General Hanana Sidi, Mauritania’s Deputy Chief of the Army and Colonel Mohamed Lehretani, Chief of the Mauritanian Air Force during a visit to Mauritania.

Machinery Technician Third Class Janneh Felix (right center) assists service members with the La Marine Nationale Mauritanienne (Mauritanian Navy) in reinstalling the lower unit of an outboard motor. Felix is a Coast Guardsmen with SPMAGTF-Crisis Response-Africa who was deployed to Mauritania to conduct an outboard motor maintenance course with service members from the La Marine Nationale Mauritanienne, Nov. 13, 2014. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Vadala)

The second day of African Partnership Flight Mauritania began Sept. 1, 2014, with the arrival and close-up viewing of a Cessna-208 Grand Caravan from the Mauritania Air Force.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Simons, African Partnership Flight Mauritania team lead, speaks with Tunisian Air Force Maj. Karim Boukara, instructor pilot, and Mali Air Force Maj. Soliba Yacouba Coulibaly, helicopter instructor pilot, before the start of the second day of APF Mauritania at Atar Airbase, Mauritania Sept. 1, 2014. A team of more than 50 students from six African nations are taking part of this APF with a combined goal to increase aviation capacity, enhance regional cooperation and increase interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brian Boisvert)

Mauritanian Air Force Master Sgt. Ahmed Beheitt, Cessna 208 Grand Caravan crew chief, discusses the mechanics of the Cessna to U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Simons, African Partnership Flight Mauritania lead planner at Atar Airbase, Mauritania Sept. 1, 2014. Airmen from six African nations, 17 Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa as well as Air Mobility Command, arrived in Atar, Mauritania for the five-day training workshop. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brian Boisvert)

Mauritanian Air Force Captain, Eyoub Teyss, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations officer, briefs U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Simons, African Partnership Flight Mauritania lead planner, left, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Steven Payne, ISR instructor, about the ISR capabilities on the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan during a tour of the aircraft at Atar Airbase, Atar, Mauritania, Sept. 1, 2014. The Cessna 208 is the premier aircraft used by the Mauritanian Air Force to ensure safety and security in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brian Boisvert)

A total of 17 U.S. Air Forces Africa and Air Mobility Command Airmen arrived here Aug. 25 to 30 to participate in African Partnership Flight, co-hosted by the Mauritanian government and the U.S. Air Force.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerome Williams, ground safety instructor from the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., hangs up an African Partnership Flight Mauritania banner Aug. 30, 2014, in his classroom prior to students arriving the next day. Airmen from six African nations will arrive to Atar Air Base in Mauritania to take part in the third APF for this year. This APF is scheduled to teach students ground and flight safety, as well as, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance, and command operations with a primary goal to help partner nations fight terrorism in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brian Boisvert)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Steve Payne, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance mission planning instructor from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, tests his laptop for operations in Atar, Mauritania prior to starting a class where airmen from six African nations will learn about ISR mission planning during African Partnership Flight, Aug. 30, 2014. APF is the premier program for building aviation capacity, enhancing regional cooperation, and increasing U.S. and African interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brian Boisvert)

The U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band visited Mauritania for performances and engagements to enhance U.S.-Mauritania relations and build ties with their musical counterparts. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt.j.g. Christopher Cornette/Released)

Musician 2nd Class Ray Laffoon, a member of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, works on a drum beat with a musician from the Musee de la Force Armee Nationale during a cooperative exchange. The band is in Mauritania for performances and engagements to enhance U.S.-Mauritania relations and build ties with their musical counterparts. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt.j.g. Christopher Cornette/Released)

Musician 3rd Class Andrew Erwin, Musician 3rd Class Ben Strickland and Musician 2nd Class Justin Malizia, members of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, perform a traditional Mauritanian song with musicians from the Musee de la Force Armee Nationale during a cooperative exchange. The band is in Mauritania for performances and engagements to enhance U.S.-Mauritania relations and build ties with their musical counterparts. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt.j.g. Christopher Cornette/Released)

Mauritania Country Page

Right behind agriculture, ranching is the biggest source of nutrition in West Africa, so for ranchers, a safe and secure place to bring their livestock for vaccinations and de-worming medication is critical. That is why United States Africa

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