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.

“Taking care of people, getting the right balance for what we need today and for tomorrow, and making every dollar count are my top priorities.” - Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James discusses her top priorities with Airmen stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, Nov. 18, 2015. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James poses with select Airmen stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, Nov. 18, 2015. The Secretary's visit to U.S. Africa Command concluded with an Airmen's Call where she discussed her top priorities for the Air Force. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James discusses her top priorities with more than 150 Airmen stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, during an Airmen's Call, Nov. 18, 2015. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Secretary of the Air Force visits AFRICOM. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James poses with senior leaders of U.S. Africa Command at the command's headquarters, Nov. 18, 2015. Pictured left to right: Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Darrin Bohn; Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Michael Franken; Secretary James, and Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Kingsley. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

U.S. Airmen stationed in Stuttgart, Germany attend an Airmen's Call with Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. More than 150 Airmen were able to hear about the Secretary's top priorities for the Air Force, and to engage in a question-and-answer session on Nov. 18, 2015. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)