Undersecretary of the Navy Thomas Modly completed a four-country trip to the Mediterranean region July 15-24, to continue to foster relationships with our allies and partners.

Modly visited Spain, Egypt, Greece and Israel and met with U.S. and foreign military personnel and host country officials. 

“Being able to see these places first-hand and converse with our personnel executing our overseas missions, is quite eye-opening,” said Modly. “This is better than staying in Washington D.C. and having it described to you.” 

While in Egypt, Modly visited the Marines at the U.S. embassy in Cairo and was provided a country team brief. He then met with retired Egyptian Navy Admiral Mohab Mameesh, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority. 

“It was incredible to see how fast Egypt was able to expand the Suez Canal to increase the efficiency of shipping,” said Modly. “Because U.S. naval forces ensure the free and open movement of global commerce for all nations, it was very enlightening to see this capability in such a strategic area.”

The following day in Egypt, Modly traveled to Alexandria and met with Vice Adm. Ahmed Khaled, head of Egyptian Navy, and toured the Egyptian naval base.

“Our military-to-military engagements enhance the relationship between our two countries,” said Modly. “The U.S. and Egypt share a long and important history of working together, and our combined forces will continue to be ready to meet any future challenge.”

During his time in Israel, Modly laid a wreath in a memorial ceremony at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, took an aerial tour of the geographic area, met with the Israeli Navy Commander in Chief, Vice Adm. Eliyahu Sharvit, and toured Haifa naval base and the commercial port of Haifa. He also met with Marines at the U.S. embassy’s branch office in Tel Aviv, Capt. Yigal Maor, Director General of the Transportation Ministry’s Administration of Shipping & Ports in Haifa, and Zohar Palti, Director of Policy and Political-Military Affairs at the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

“We have a strong and enduring strategic partnership with Israel built on trust developed over decades of cooperation,” said Modly. “Continuing this cooperation is vitally important to the stability in the region and reflects a common understanding of the global security environment.”

Modly’s multination visit was focused on supporting of the second line of effort of the National Defense Strategy: Strengthening Partnerships and Alliances. 

Reflecting on the entire trip Modly said, “Ultimately strategic partnerships are best developed and sustained through face-to-face dialogue. Such dialogue advances personal and professional relationships that help weather difficult circumstances and misunderstandings that may arise.”