Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Egypt and Turkey have concluded a naval combat exercise.

Officials said the exercise, called “Sea of Friendship 2011,” included combat and search-and-rescue operations meant to enhance interoperability.

“The Egyptian Navy is highly trained and possesses modern weapons,” Egyptian Navy commander Adm. Mohab Mamish said. “It’s quite capable of protecting Egypt’s coasts and territorial waters.”

Officials said the multi-stage exercise, which concluded on Dec. 29, included live fire, electronic warfare and anti-mining operations. They said the exercise also brought the navies of Egypt and Turkey in anti-piracy simulations that included fighter-jets and helicopters.

Both militaries contributed the U.S.-origin F-16 multi-role fighters.

The Egyptian Air Force also contributed the SH-2G helicopter, upgraded by the U.S. company Kaman Aerospace.

“The Egyptian Navy’s good reputation attracts the world’s militaries to participate with it in joint training programs,” Mamish said.

Officials said this marked one of the most extensive combat exercises by Ankara and Cairo. They said the two militaries would engage in several exercises in 2012.

“We look forward to more joint training,” Turkish Navy commander Adm. Murat Bilgel said.

  Adm. Mohab Mamish, Ankara, Cairo, Egypt, Kaman Aerospace, Sea of Friendship 2011, SH-2G helicopter, Turkey use F-16s in joint naval exercise