The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) participated in a cooperation exercise with the Royal Moroccan Navy May 5, 2017 while on deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Vella Gulf and the P306 RMNS Commandant El Harti conducted maritime interdiction operations (MIO) and small boat defense procedures during the exercise.

MIOs have been a critical warfare area employed by the coalition navies. Throughout the last two decades, these operations have helped keep sea lanes clear of piracy and smuggling. Recently, small boat attacks have become an increasing threat. On May 5, 2017, off the coast of Rabat, Morocco, Vella Gulf and Commandant El Harti participated in exercise Colibir Corsair which helped refine both crews' skills in maritime interdiction and defense from small boat attacks.

This exercise was also vital to facilitate and promote maritime cooperation between the two navies. Commandant El Harti conducted various training events to enhance their maritime interdiction experience. In a coordinated effort after the conclusion of Commandant El Harti's boarding exercises, Vella Gulf employed small boat defense measures with Commandant El Harti acting as the small boat attacker. After the small boat attack exercise was completed, Vella Gulf's visit board search and seizure team boarded the Commandant El Harti and conducted training alongside the Moroccan boarding team. The two teams shared their best practices and experiences to better one another for future operations.

"Today was our first exercise as a deployed unit. It was a pleasure to participate in exercises with the Royale Moroccan Navy." said Capt. Mark Oberley, commanding officer of USS Vella Gulf. "I have mentioned before that Vella Gulf is crewed by steadfast professionals. Today their interactions and performance alongside our Moroccan partners has proven that."

Vella Gulf is deployed as an independent unit in support of maritime security and ballistic missile defense operations in international waters across the globe.

The ship was commissioned Sept. 18, 1993, and is named after the decisive victory against the Japanese at Vella Gulf during the Solomon Islands Campaign of WWII.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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