Previous to arriving in Rota, Bulkeley visited Las Palmas, Spain, for a scheduled port go to. The go to marked Bulkeley’s arrival within the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) space of operations and is the primary port cease for the reason that ship departed Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 4, as a part of the U.S. Navy’s long-range plan to rotate the Rota-based destroyers of the Ahead Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) pressure.
“I couldn’t be extra pleased with the crew,” mentioned Cmdr. Arturo Trejo, Bulkeley’s govt officer. “The large effort it takes to conduct a homeport shift is a illustration of the arduous work and brilliance on a regular basis Individuals and our allies do every day.”
Arriving in a brand new homeport additionally brings distinctive alternatives to the Bulkeley crew.
“The crew of Bulkeley is pleased to reach in our new house, and we’re wanting ahead to a continued partnership with our host nation, Spain, in addition to persevering with to foster the sturdy relationship with our NATO allies,” mentioned the ship’s Command Grasp Chief Jeremiah Hoyt. “We’ll have a couple of days to settle in, however we’re able to get again out and function in essentially the most dynamic atmosphere within the U.S. Navy’s floor fleet.”
Earlier this 12 months, USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), one other FDNF-E ship, shifted its homeport to Rota, Spain. With Paul Ignatius and Bulkeley’s arrival, fellow destroyers USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS Ross (DDG 71) will conclude their time stationed in Rota, heading again to the continental United States for their very own house port shifts later this fall. These shifts mark the ultimate scheduled homeport shifts within the long-planned FDNF-E rotation. These FDNF-E ships have the flexibleness to function all through the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime area.
“The Wolfpack aboard USS Bulkeley is happy to lastly be becoming a member of our allies as a part of Ahead Deployed Naval Forces – Europe,” mentioned Capt. Mac Harkin, Bulkeley’s commanding officer. “We’re grateful to our Spanish companions for welcoming us to Rota.”
Bulkeley will function underneath Commander, Process Drive 65 and Destroyer Squadron 60 in help of NATO’s Built-in Air Missile Protection structure. These FDNF-E ships have the flexibleness to function all through the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime area.
Commissioned on Dec. 8, 2001, the ship is called in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Rear Adm. John Duncan Bulkeley, who’s 55 years of naval service included motion in each the Pacific and Atlantic theaters throughout World Warfare II and the Korean Warfare. Bulkeley was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 in Philippine waters from December 7, 1941 to April 10, 1942. He died on April 6, 1996 and is buried at Arlington Nationwide Cemetery.
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 accountability. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by way of the total spectrum of joint and naval operations.
