The port go to to Rijeka gives a chance to strengthen america and Croatia’s relationship, and affords an opportunity to additional show america’ dedication to its European regional allies and companions, whereas additionally permitting Normandy to start her scheduled mid-deployment upkeep availability.
“It’s an honor to decide on Croatia as Normandy’s mid-deployment upkeep availability port,” mentioned Capt. Errol A. Robinson, commanding officer, USS Normandy. “Porting in Rijeka allows us to make the mandatory repairs throughout deployment intervals and to proceed to show the interoperability we now have with our Croatian companions. Furthermore, the officers and crew are extraordinarily excited to discover Rijeka and its fantastic tradition.”
Whereas in Rijeka, Normandy’s Sailors may have the chance to tour the town and surrounding areas and to expertise the wealthy historical past and tradition of Croatia. They can even have the ability to take part in a neighborhood relations mission whereas in-country, organized by the ship’s Spiritual Ministry Staff, comprised of Lt. Brandy Brown and Spiritual Program Specialist 2nd Class Carrie Caton.
The final U.S. Navy vessel to go to Croatia was the first-in-class plane provider USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), flagship of the Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group. Ford hosted a reception for distinguished guests whereas anchored off the coast of Cut up, Croatia, June 27, 2023.
CSG-12, Gerald R. Ford CSG, is on a scheduled deployment within the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa space of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and companion pursuits.
Normandy is part of the Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group (GRFCSG). The GRFCSG is comprised of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Service Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the Info Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60).
The ships of DESRON-2 throughout the GRFCSG are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).
The squadrons of CVW-8 embarked aboard Gerald R. Ford are the “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 9, the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, the “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Management Squadron (VAW 124), the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, the “Blacklions” of (VFA-213), the “Golden Warriors” of (VFA-87), the “Tomcatters” of (VFA-31), the “Grey Wolves” of Digital Assault Squadron (VAQ) 142, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Help Squadron (VRC) 40.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has cast 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.
