The Royal Moroccan Navy has participated lately in a naval surface fire support (NSFS) exercise with U.S. ballistic missile defense ship USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) while operating in the Atlantic Ocean.
This joint exercise, “Handshake’’, involves warships providing artillery or missile fire for troops ashore, practicing coordination with ground forces to simulate clearing enemy positions, securing beachheads, and delivering precise, responsive fire for amphibious assaults or land operations, using skills from target spotting to live firing onto ranges.
The goal of the drill between US destroyers and partner navies is to enhance interoperability, lethality, and readiness for joint operations in coastal environments.
A press release issued by the U.S. 6th fleet said the exercise conducted by USS Paul Ignatius followed a port visit in Agadir, Morocco, demonstrating the ongoing friendship and security cooperation between the U.S. and Morocco.
During this iteration of Atlas Handshake USS Paul Ignatius and RMNS Tarik Ben Ziyad conducted interoperability training to include visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training, a combined anti-submarine warfare exercise, and a live fire event onto a Moroccan range.
“Training together with the Royal Moroccan Navy is key to strengthening our collective lethality against illicit maritime activity” said Cmdr. Joseph Phillips, commanding officer of USS Paul Ignatius. “Exercises like this ensure our forces are ready, lethal, and postured to safeguard against any threat to U.S. interests in Africa and around the globe.”
The strategic bilateral partnership between the United States and Morocco is rooted in shared interests in regional peace, security, and prosperity. The U.S. Navy and Royal Moroccan Navy are committed to working together to promote a secure and peaceful region, which is threatened by illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, trafficking, piracy, and other maritime crime.
“Our military partnership with Morocco is strong and continues to grow, reflecting our shared commitment to regional security and stability,” said U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan III. “The United States remains dedicated to supporting Morocco and African partners in protecting maritime resources and ensuring the secure flow of global trade.”
Paul Ignatius is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., allied and partner interests in the region.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
