The bilateral exercise between Italy and Tunisia, “Oasis '24”, has just concluded in Augusta, taking place in the waters facing the naval base of the Megarian city.
The offshore patrol vessel "Orione" and the water carrier "Ticino", belonging to the 4th Naval Division - command of the Patrolling Forces for Coastal Surveillance and Defense (COMDINAV4 - COMFORPAT), a SH-212 helicopter from the Catania Navy Helicopter Station (MARISTAELI Catania) and an inspection team from the Marine Brigade Saint Mark (BMSM) exercised with the Tunisian Navy coastal patrol vessel “Hannon" to deepen mutual understanding and refine the interoperability of assets and procedures and tactics at sea.
From 18 to 22 November, an event was renewed that, with an annual frequency since 1999, is part of the maritime cooperation initiative between the navies of the two shores of the Mediterranean, called "5+5", which includes France, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain for the northern shore and Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia for the southern shore. The Oasis exercise is one of the many bilateral training activities that the Navy periodically conducts with the navies of the North African countries.
This year's edition, led by Italy, was coordinated and conducted by the staff of the 4th Naval Division and saw the Italian and Tunisian naval forces train in the field of maritime traffic surveillance and control activities, in the fight against illicit activities at sea and in damage control and passive defence procedures (fire and leak prevention).
Furthermore, inspection teams from the two navies, after an initial familiarisation phase, engaged in activities Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure (VBSS).
At the same time, the personnel of the underwater units of the two naval units, after having shared the intervention procedures and use of instruments and means normally used in operational activities, trained by carrying out a joint dive aimed at checking the hulls of the ships moored at the Tullio Marcon dock of the naval base of Augusta.
The bilateral event took place a few days after the stopover in Tunis of the patrol boats "Spica" of the Navy and "Fiorillo" of the Coast Guard as part of the Phoenix Express 2024 exercise, during which the two Italian units hosted the visit of the Italian Ambassador to Tunis, Dr. Alessandro Prunas, and constituted an opportunity to reinvigorate an already consolidated ability to operate together and constituted a further opportunity for mutual professional exchange useful for maintaining and increasing the capabilities, integration and interoperability of the operational teams involved, strengthening the already excellent relationship that binds the two navies.
