Georgian Coast Guard Takes Part in U.S.-Led Phoenix Express Maritime Exercise in Tunisia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Georgian Coast Guard officers participated in the U.S.-led multinational maritime security exercise Phoenix Express, held in Tunisia from January 20 to 23. The drills brought together military and security personnel from Europe and North Africa to improve cooperation in countering illicit activities at sea.
Participating countries included Algeria, Belgium, Egypt, Georgia, Italy, Morocco, Tunisia, and the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Georgia said on January 26 that Georgia was "one of eight partner nations chosen to participate in this prestigious exercise."
According to Georgia's Interior Ministry, the exercise was organized by the United States Africa Command (U.S. AFRICOM) and coordinated by the Office of Defense Cooperation of the U.S. Embassy. In a statement released on January 25, the Border Police said Georgian Coast Guard officers carried out their assigned tasks at the exercise's training management center.
The ministry noted that particular attention during the drills was paid to familiarizing Georgian officers with NATO procedures, terminology, and maritime security management models. The exercise provided an opportunity for participants to practice coordination and decision-making in a multinational environment.
The U.S. Navy said Phoenix Express is designed to strengthen combined maritime security capabilities by improving regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information sharing, and tactical interdiction skills. The drills aim to enhance the ability of partner nations to respond collectively to security threats at sea.
This year's exercise focused on improving maritime domain awareness and conducting Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) missions. The scenarios were conducted in a tabletop format and simulated threats such as human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and the proliferation of weapons across the Southern Mediterranean.
Phoenix Express is held annually and serves as a platform for partner nations to deepen operational cooperation and build interoperability in maritime security operations.
