USS Mitscher Conducts PASSEX with Egyptian Navy

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Milham | 181021-N-OW182-1637 SAFAGA, Egypt (Oct. 21, 2018) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57), right, sails next to the Descubierta-class corvette ENS El Suez (F-946) during a passing exercise. Mitscher, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Milham/Released)  

RED SEA

10.21.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Milham 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Active)

RED SEA- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and the Egyptian navy’s Descubierta-class corvette ENS El Suez (F-946) participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) Oct. 21.

A PASSEX provides an opportunity for navies to demonstrate their ability to communicate and operate together. During this event, Mitscher and El Suez were able to practice tactics in realistic training scenarios, develop greater trust, understanding, and respect for each other’s capabilities.

Cmdr. Ian Scaliatine, commanding officer of Mitscher, welcomed El Suez’s leadership aboard Mitscher for a pre-sail conference during the destroyer’s recent port visit to Safaga, Egypt.

“This exercise was a great opportunity for Mitscher to continue and build upon the relationship between the U. S. and the Egyptian navies,” said Cmdr. Scaliatine.

The PASSEX began with both El Suez and Mitscher conducting a simulated fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) defense against high-speed boats, displaying the capability to respond to potential threats.

Next, members of Mitscher’s visit, board, search and seizure team embarked El Suez where they exchanged training with their Egyptian Navy counterparts.

“The maritime boarding drills allowed our boarding team to work side by side with our Egyptian boarding team partners,” said Cmdr. Scaliatine. “This drill increased our tactical proficiency while exchanging ideas between Sailors.”

The event concluded with a gunnery exercise where both warships displayed their main battery weapons capabilities as they fired upon an inflatable red target, known as a “Killer Tomato”.

“The high level of professionalism demonstrated reaffirms our long history of serving at sea together, and mutual respect for each other,” said Cmdr. Scaliatine. “It was truly a great experience for Mitscher.”

Mitscher, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.
For more information, visit https://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2018
• Date Posted: 10.22.2018 14:15
• Story ID: 297255
• Location: RED SEA