Israeli, Turkish, U.S. forces gather to begin exercise Reliant Mermaid 2009

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Gary Keen | USS Stout sits pier-side in preparation for exercise Reliant Mermaid 2009. The annual exercise between forces from Israel, Turkey and the US is based on scripted humanitarian search and rescue scenarios and designed to enhance maritime interoperability between participating nations.  

AKSAZ, TOKELAU

08.18.2009

Story by Lt.j.g. Gary Keen 

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

AKSAZ, Turkey — U.S. Navy Sailors gathered, Aug. 17, with naval forces from Israel and Turkey on Aksaz Turkish Naval Base to commence exercise Reliant Mermaid 2009.

Leaders from each country's navy along with commanding officers from each participating flagship discussed plans for the upcoming exercise in addition to current real-world events.

"We are excited about the opportunity to train alongside our Turkish and Israeli counterparts," said Capt. John W. Moore, commander of Task Force 67. "The U.S. Navy is committed to maintaining strong maritime partnerships with both Turkey and Israel. Enhancing maritime partnerships contributes to our overall objective of promoting a global navy, capable of maintaining a safe and secure maritime environment around the world."

Harbor training in preparation for the underway period will continue through Aug. 18 between naval forces from each country, followed by an underway period beginning Aug. 19. Underway events will be driven by scripted humanitarian search and rescue scenarios.

Reliant Mermaid is an annual trilateral exercise between Israel, Turkey and the United States. The exercise focuses on search and rescue scenarios and is designed to improve interoperability and cooperation among participating countries.

• Date Taken: 08.18.2009
• Date Posted: 08.18.2009 11:06
• Story ID: 37649
• Location: AKSAZ, TK