The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 109) returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a often scheduled deployment, June 24.
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Gravely is the primary unit to return from the Harry S. Truman Service Strike Group, which deployed in December.
Whereas deployed, U.S. sixth Fleet employed the ship to defend U.S., allied and associate pursuits, taking Gravely and her crew all through quite a lot of European waters whereas offering a wealth of bilateral and multilateral coaching alternatives.
Gravely participated in workouts Neptune Strike 2022, Chilly Response, Operation Songwright, Dynamic Manta, Neptune Defend 2022, and Hedgehog 22 with forces from Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK, highlighting Gravely’s various mission set and capabilities whereas underscoring the significance of interoperability and operational readiness.
“Workouts with our Allies and companions allowed for a extra cohesive alliance and fluid operations,” stated Cmdr. Hunter Washburn, Gravely’s commanding officer. “Working with Allies and companions is paramount to additional creating our communication and operational capabilities to make sure mission readiness at a second’s discover.”
Gravely’s management hosted a number of distinguished guests throughout port visits.
Whereas in Klaipėda, Lithuania, Gravely hosted a tour and lunch reception with honored friends together with the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Robert Gilchrist, U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Julie Fisher, and Minister of Protection for Lithuania Arvydas Anusauskas. Gravely hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski for a dinner reception in Gdynia, Poland.
The crew docked in Helsinki, Finland, together with dock touchdown ship USS Gunston Corridor (LSD 44), French frigate FS Latouche-Tréville (D646) and German frigate FGS Sachsen (F 219) over Memorial Day weekend, bolstering relations with a key NATO associate and Allied maritime forces.
“It’s all the time a blessing to have interaction with our Allied counterparts abroad in any capability to showcase our enthusiasm and dedication in the direction of our partnership,” stated Cmdr. Brian Sánchez, Gravely’s government officer. “It was an honor to obtain distinguished friends and guests aboard our good ship Gravely throughout international port visits as an indication of our gratitude and appreciation.”
Gravely additionally operated alongside the Kearsarge Amphibious Prepared Group, comprised of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), dock touchdown ship Gunston Corridor (LPD 44), and amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) with the embarked twenty second Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
The ship proved to be an integral a part of the HSTCSG throughout each section of deployment.
“The professionalism and fortitude the Gravely has proven throughout this deployment has not gone unnoticed,” stated Rear Adm. Paul Spedero, commander, Service Strike Group (CSG) 8. “The crew gained a useful quantity of information of the area throughout their operations on this deployment, and their relationship with our Allies and associate nations present simply how impactful our strike group ships may be.”
The Harry S. Truman Service Strike Group (HSTCSG) contains flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); the 9 squadrons of Service Air Wing (CVW) 1, commanded by Capt. Patrick Hourigan; the workers and guided-missile destroyers of DESRON 28, commanded by Capt. Todd Zenner, which embody Gravely, USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), commanded by Capt. Christopher Marvin.
For extra information from CSG 8 and USS Gravely, go to, Www.Fb.Com/CSG8, Https://Www.Fb.Com/DDG107, www.fb.com/usnavy, www.navy.mil, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.
For extra information from C2F, go to https://www.c2f.navy.mil and for extra data go to http://www.fb.com/US2ndFleet or Http://Twitter.Com/US2ndFleet
