Frigate ‘Reina Sofía’ concludes her participation in Exercise MAES-18 with the Moroccan frigate ‘Hassan II’.

Spanish F-80 frigate ‘Reina Sofía’ has participated in a series of exercises called MAES-18 along with the Royal Moroccan Navy’s frigate ‘Hassan II’. The drills were divided into three stages: one in the port of Cadiz, another one at sea (May 6-9) and the last one in Casablanca.

In addition to her own crew, the ‘Reina Sofía’ embarked the Commander of the 41st Escort Squadron with his Staff, a Marine Corps operational security team from the second landing battalion, and support personnel for the air unit.

The first stage of the exercise in port consisted in a series of activities including coordination tasks with crew members of the ‘Hassan II’; instruction at the Damage Control Training Center and a visit to the helicopters simulator.

Drills at sea included maritime interdiction operations (MIO), rescue and emergency situations and SOLAS-type exercises (Safety Of the Life At Sea).

MAES is bilateral annual exercise conducted by Spanish and Moroccan armed forces intended to strengthen the bonds between both navies.