Reinforcing the trans-Atlantic hyperlink between NATO Allies and companions is a serious aim of this maritime command component headquarters, which is comprised of workers from U.S. 2nd Fleet and Expeditionary Strike Group 2. Their ahead presence and management within the train allows NATO maritime models to function seamlessly in any surroundings.
Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, Joint Power Command Norfolk and 2nd Fleet, emphasised that CTF North demonstrates North America’s dedication to NATO.
“My 2nd fleet workers are working ahead as CTF North to supervise fourteen Allied and companion navies all through the maritime operations,” mentioned Perry. “Steadfast Defender is a invaluable expertise for our Norfolk-based staff, who’re gaining proficiency commanding mission prepared forces within the European working space. Interoperability is important as a result of NATO faces probably the most harmful and unpredictable safety surroundings in many years. So that is an unbelievable demonstration of NATO’s unity, resilience, and readiness to reply to an assault on this defensive alliance. The NATO Alliance is ironclad, and we’re prepared, if challenged.”
Reestablished as a fleet headquarters to defend the maritime avenues of method between North America and Europe, and oversee deterrence and safety of the Atlantic Ocean and east coast of the US, 2nd Fleet maintains a “maneuver arm” component to reply throughout the Atlantic Ocean and into the Excessive North. This functionality can contain commanding and controlling ahead forces from 2nd Fleet headquarters in Norfolk, or sending an expeditionary maritime command component ahead to supervise forces in theater. CTF-N is exercising that second assemble.
Sailors assigned to CTF North present a variety of experience to incorporate operational coordinators, maritime operations heart personnel and navy planners.
Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, deputy commander, CTF North, defined that the workers, made up of British, Canadian, Dutch, Danish, French, End, Norwegian, and U.S. personnel are integrating with one another and studying by every engagement.
“Coaching in Norway, particularly within the Arctic, is a useful alternative for U.S. service members supporting Steadfast Defender. As a joint pressure, we’re displaying our capacity to combine with NATO allies and Sweden,” mentioned Nicholson. “Our capacity to quickly deploy a complicated NATO command component headquarters, largely staffed by the U.S., seamlessly right into a Norwegian facility in a strategically essential location wouldn’t have been attainable with no robust U.S.-Norway partnership. For us, it’s extra than simply phrases, we’re displaying our dedication to the alliance and safety within the area by our actions.”
The workers is residing and dealing in Bodø throughout train Steadfast Defender offering across the clock command and management to all exercise-related maritime actions. Capt. Michael Desmond, CTF North’s chief of workers, underscored the significance of all staff members’ contributions.
“We’re proud to be right here in Norway, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to our Allies and Companions,” mentioned Desmond. “Everybody on this distinctive headquarters workers brings distinctive experience that helps to strengthen the Alliance by creating interoperability and capacity-building throughout a spectrum of warfighting readiness.”
Second Fleet develops and employs maritime forces able to battle throughout a number of domains within the Atlantic and Arctic with a purpose to guarantee entry, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and companion pursuits.
U.S. Navy pictures and b-roll can be found on DVIDS. For extra data, contact c2f_pao@us.navy.mil.
Comply with together with the train on social media through the use of #steadfastdefender24
