Sailors assigned to the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson participated in a multinational training exercise aboard the Hellenic navy training ship Aris at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operations Training Center in support of exercise Phoenix Express 2012 in Souda Bay, Crete, May 12.

SOUDA BAY, Crete (May 12, 2012) - Boarding team members from the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56), conduct small-arms training under the guidance of Marines assigned to the 1st Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team aboard the training ship Aris at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center during Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12). PE12, a multinational maritime exercise between Southern European, North African and U.S. Naval forces, is designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and help increase safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

SOUDA BAY, Crete (May 12, 2012) - Operations Specialist Seaman Alex Dibenedetto (left), a boarding team member assigned to the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56), practices small arms tactics under the supervision of U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Joshua Aiken (right), from the to 1st Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team, aboard the training ship Aris at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center during Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12). PE12, a multinational maritime exercise between Southern European, North African and U.S. Naval forces, is designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and help increase safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

SOUDA BAY, Crete (May 12, 2012) - U.S. Navy Sailors attached to guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG-56) participate in small-arms training aboard the Hellenic naval training ship Aris as part of exercise Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12) at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operations Center in Souda Bay, May 12. PE12, a multinational exercise between European, North African and U.S. naval forces, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations to help increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

SOUDA BAY, Crete (May 9, 2012) - Chief Fire Controlman Timothy Wheeler, a member of the boarding team from guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56), secures a stairway during an exercise aboard the training ship Aris at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center during Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12). PE12, a multi-national maritime exercise between Southern European, North African and U.S. Naval forces, is designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and help increase safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

SOUDA BAY, Crete (May 9, 2012) - Senior Chief Fire Controlman Allen Bylls, a member of the boarding team from guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56), leads his team on an exercise aboard the training ship Aris at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center during Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12). PE12, a multi-national maritime exercise between Southern European, North African and U.S. Naval forces, is designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and help increase safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

SOUDA BAY, Crete (May 9, 2012) - Members of a Moroccan boarding team attached to the Moroccan ship Mohammed V (F-611) participate in small-arms training aboard the training ship Aris at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center during Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12). PE12, a multi-national maritime exercise between Southern European, North African and U.S. Naval forces, is designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and help increase safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

SOUDA BAY, Crete (May 8, 2012) - Moroccan naval forces participate in small-arms training aboard the Hellenic training ship Aris as part of a boarding team exercise during Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12). PE12, a multi-national maritime exercise between Sothern European, North African and U.S. Naval forces, is designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and help increase safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

SOUDA BAY, Crete (May 9, 2012) - Senior Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) Victor Meza, a member of the boarding team from guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56), provides security for his team during an exercise aboard the training ship Aris at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center during Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12). PE12, a multi-national maritime exercise between Southern European, North African and U.S. Naval forces, is designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and help increase safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

SOUDA BAY, Crete (May 8, 2012) - Moroccan naval forces participate in small-arms training aboard the Hellenic training ship Aris as part of a boarding team exercise during Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12). PE12, a multi-national maritime exercise between Sothern European, North African and U.S. Naval forces, is designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and help increase safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (June 10, 2011) -- A member of the Royal Moroccan armed forces maritime interdiction operations team, attached to the Royal Moroccan ship Hassan II, examines a mock component used to build a weapon of mass destruction aboard USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) on June 10, as a part of Phoenix Express 2011. Phoenix Express is a three-week exercise divided into in-port and underway training phases designed to enhance regional maritime partnerships among the 14 participating countries in their efforts to deter illicit trafficking at sea.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (June 11, 2011) -- Sailors attached to USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) stand by to conduct replenishment at sea with Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198), June 11, as a part of Phoenix Express 2011. Phoenix Express, a three-week exercise divided into in-port and underway training phases, is designed to enhance regional maritime partnerships among the 13 participating countries in their efforts to deter illicit trafficking at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Edward Vasquez/Released)

Teams from four ships came together to participate in a damage control training workshop as a part of exercise Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11) at Marathi Pier in Souda Bay, June 2.

Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), a multi-national maritime exercise between U.S., North African and European naval forces, held a pre-sail kickoff meeting here June 1, bringing together for the first time since the exercise began ten days ago the Task Force Phoenix Express commander and the commanding officers and crew of the eight ships participating in the exercise.

Two lead coxswains from USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) First Division joined several colleagues from the Greek armed forces to conduct a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) evolution here during a May 30 Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11) training course.

Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), a three-week exercise bringing together 13 different countries that began May 23, combines a vast array of military training and knowledge from all participants in an effort to deter illicit trafficking at sea.

The Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team (boarding team) from USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) was taught the elements of psychology that come into play during maritime interdiction operations (MIO) during a May 25 classroom training presented as part exercise Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11).

Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), a multi-national maritime exercise, brought Sailors from the U.S. and Greek navies together to sharpen their small arms handling, an essential skill used in conducting maritime interdiction operations (MIO) against vessels suspected of illicit trafficking.

Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), a multi-national maritime exercise, is helping Sailors from U.S., North African and European naval forces to understand better how to perform Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), used by participant nations in their efforts to deter illicit trafficking at sea.

Sailors from the U.S., Royal Morocco and Mauritania naval forces sharpened their essential skills in basic combat first aid during Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), a multi-national maritime exercise designed to enhance regional maritime partnerships.

ROTA, Spain — A Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) team from Morocco, along with U.S. Marines from Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company, Europe (FASTEUR) and Spanish marines conducted Helicopter Rope Suspension Training (HRST) from a Spanish navy helicopter in preparation for excercise Phoenix Express 2010 at Naval Station Rota, Spain April 27.

SOUDA BAY, Greece - Sailors from the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF) Squadron Team 2, Helicopter Visit Board Search and Seizure (HVBSS) Team 4 conducted and participated in fast-roping exercises on a U.S. CH-60 Seahawk helicopter assigned to USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) and a Greek CH-60 Seahawk helicopter with sailors and Marines from nations participating in exercise Phoenix Express (PE09) here, April 30.

SOUDA BAY, Greece - Marines from Italy hosted damage control training aboard Italian vessel ITS Cigala Fulgosi to Phoenix Express participants from Turkey, Spain and the U.S. April 29.

SOUDA BAY, Greece - Sailors and Marines conducted training exercises during Phoenix Express (PE09) with Spanish, Tunisian and Moroccan sailors and Marines practicing small arms familiarization and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) techniques aboard Greek training ship Aris, April 28.