Gunston Corridor initially embarked the Platoon of French Marines in February once they pulled into Portsmouth, UK. The U.S. Navy embarking, integrating, and working with Allied forces demonstrated NATO’s capability to deploy forces quickly from North America and different components of the Alliance to strengthen the protection of Europe throughout hundreds of kilometers, from the Excessive North to Central and Japanese Europe, and in any situations.
“Working with the French Marines has been helpful to turning into a extra environment friendly and stronger Alliance” mentioned Cmdr. Christopher W. Van Loenen, Gunston Corridor’s commanding officer. “Integrating with our Allies offers us the chance to trade warfighting classes and study from one another in actual time.”
Steadfast Defender 24 is a multi-domain operational and tactical-level stay train. Through the train, Allies demonstrated their capability to deploy some 90,000 forces from North America and different components of the Alliance, transfer them to and throughout Europe, from the Arctic to the Japanese flank of the Alliance, to conduct defensive operations. NATO workouts are defensive, clear and proportionate, and carried out in full respect of our worldwide obligations.
Throughout Steadfast Defender, Gunston Corridor operated alongside Italian Touchdown Assault Helicopter Ship Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italian amphibious transport dock San Giorgio, and French Navy Aquitaine-class Frigate Normandie. Gunston Corridor carried out 5 amphibious workouts and 19 nicely deck operations within the Excessive North with French, Finnish, and NATO’s latest Ally, Sweden. As these Allies all labored collectively within the maritime area, it showcased the interoperability and energy of the Alliance.
Gunston Corridor’s integration inside Steadfast Defender 2024 and their presence in Sixth Fleet emphasizes the USA Navy’s dedication to NATO’s transatlantic unity and dedication to proceed to do all that’s vital to guard its Allies, our collective values and the rules-based worldwide order that NATO stands for.
Gunston Corridor is an amphibious vessel presently assigned to the U.S. 2nd Fleet based mostly in Norfolk, Virginia. It is among the 50 NATO naval belongings, accompanied by 80 air platforms and 1,100 fight automobiles, taking part in Steadfast Defender 24. 2024 12 months marks the seventy fifth anniversary of the NATO Alliance, and the dimensions of this train is showcased the Alliance’s sheer energy and dominance to maintain our one billion folks protected.
The U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the altering international safety setting, develops and employs maritime forces able to struggle throughout a number of domains within the Atlantic and Arctic to make sure entry, deter aggression, and defend U.S., Allied, and associate pursuits.
U.S. Navy pictures and b-roll can be found on DVIDS. For extra data, contact c2f_pao@us.navy.mil.
