Whereas in Taranto, the ship will conduct a change of command ceremony, by which Cmdr. Lawrence Heyworth IV will relieve Cmdr. Greg Web page as commanding officer. The ship can even assume duties because the Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2 flagship, below command of U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Sciretta.
In assuming the duties as SNMG 2 flagship, Forrest Sherman will relieve the Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Margottini (F 592) and Rear Adm. Sciretta will relieve Italian Navy Rear Admiral Mauro Panebianco.
“This deployment presents a possibility to strengthen {our relationships} not solely with the Italian Navy, however with NATO as a complete,” stated Cmdr. Greg Web page, commanding officer of USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98). “Because the flagship for SNMG 2, the Forrest Sherman group is happy to indicate the world her relentless preventing spirit.”
Forrest Sherman and her crew aren’t any strangers to the European theater. The ship deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) space of operations earlier this 12 months in help of U.S., allied and accomplice pursuits, crusing by the Jap Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and Baltic Sea on an roughly three month deployment. The crew performed over 200 hours of flight operations, 11 drills with NATO allies and companions, six strait transits and 6 replenishments-at-sea. The interoperability workouts required shut coordination to conduct maneuvering operations, cross-deck flight operations, and flashing gentle and flag-hoist drills with navies from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.
Moreover, Forrest Sherman additionally performed port visits to Stockholm, Sweden, and Gdansk, Poland, underscoring the US’ dedication to safety within the Baltic Sea area. Whereas in port Stockholm, the crew hosted Ambassador Erik Ramanathan, the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden; Rear Adm. Ewa Skoog Haslum, chief of the Swedish Navy and commander maritime part command (MCC); and a number of other Swedish flag officers.
This deployment and the ship’s time as flagship of SNMG 2, affords the crew one other alternative to strengthen relations and interoperability with allied and accomplice navies in theater.
“The crew is able to function within the European theater and appears ahead to collaborating in a spread of maritime actions in help of NATO allies and European companions,” stated Web page.
Along with getting ready the ship to function flagship, Sailors could have the chance to take part in a wide range of excursions and embrace the tradition in southern Italy, indulging in native meals, artwork, historical past and outside actions in Taranto. The port go to additionally offers the chance for elevated interoperability amongst forces, whereas constructing cultural understanding and belief.
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) is on a scheduled deployment within the U.S. Naval Forces Europe space of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet, to defend U.S., allied and accomplice pursuits.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has solid strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of duty. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by the total spectrum of joint and naval operations.
