New Training Facility Boosts Maritime Readiness

U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, in partnership with the Royal Moroccan Navy, commemorated the completion of the Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) Training Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the RMN Diving School in Sidi Kankouch, Morocco, on 4 March 2025.

The new facility, funded by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), is part of an effort to enhance maritime training infrastructure and support ongoing security cooperation between the United States and Morocco. Strategically located near the Strait of Gibraltar, the site is designed to strengthen regional maritime training and increase readiness for joint operations and multinational exercises such as African Lion and Phoenix Express.

Construction began in August 2022 and involved Seabees from NMCB 1, NMCB 11, and NMCB 133. The project included extensive site improvements, foundation work, and construction of a pre-engineered high-bay training structure, all completed despite delays caused by COVID-19 travel restrictions.

“It was over multiple deployment rotations battling challenging conditions, that our teams persevered as they worked alongside Moroccan partners to bring this facility from concept, design, and construction to reality, reinforcing our shared commitment to excellence and Regional maritime security and readiness,” said Capt. Allen Willey.