Egyptian air and naval forces departed to Greece to participate in the joint Greek-Egyptian military aeronautical exercise Medusa 2016, Egypt's Ministry of Defence announced Sunday. The exercise came in the framework of the joint cooperation between the two countries to confront the Mediterranean growing challenges and as part of the Egyptian armed forces plan for exercises with friendly and brotherly states, the ministry added. The ministry said in a statement on Sunday that the joint manoeuvres, which was held last year for the first time, will take place from 8 to 12 December. The statement pointed out that the exercises will include several activities that involve planning and administering joint naval operations and operating day and night sailing formations, maritime interdiction operations, right to visit and search ships suspected and training on search and rescue procedures. The exercises will also include trainings on exchanging of communications between units, naval vessels, offshore units and train crews to carry out various exercises at sea, in addition to planning and leadership operations and carrying out group offensive and defensive operations in accordance with the finest air tactics, the military statement added. The Egyptian air force are also set to participate in the exercises, in cooperation with their Greek counterparts. Egypt has carried out 30 joint military exercises in 2016 with 20 Arab and African countries, as well as European countries including France and Russia. Egypt's Ahram reported thatEgypt concluded a joint military exercise with Jordan last November, which included the participation of ground and special forces troops. Last December, the Egyptian army held a joint military exercise with Greece, named "Medusa 2015", which coincided with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's visit to Greece. Source: Middle East Monitor
