“Spending time with the U.S. Navy is a dynamic, worldwide and intensely rewarding expertise,” stated Sinigaglia. “USS Forrest Sherman is a ship that carries out many actions of nice curiosity. This has been a really valuable alternative to change abilities within the naval subject which constitutes an added worth for the Italian Navy.”
Throughout the identical time interval, Lt. j. g. Noah Zorzi, an Engineering Division Officer serving aboard USS Forrest Sherman and initially from Fairfax, Virginia, was equally as stunned when afforded the chance to swap locations with Sinigaglia and spend two weeks aboard ITS Alpino.
“Spending time on the ITS Alpino was an unimaginable expertise,” stated Zorzi. “The crew is exceptionally proficient and spectacular in the best way they function their ship, and was extraordinarily welcoming. With the ability to take my expertise and broaden upon what I’ve realized from the Italian Navy and the way they function is one thing that can solely strengthen my understanding and stage of information as a Naval Officer, particularly as a NATO accomplice.”
A number of NATO nations, together with Italy, Germany, Spain, america and the UK, participated in Train Mare Aperto 22, a high-end train sponsored by the Italian Navy geared toward strengthening and enhancing the fight readiness of taking part property within the conduct of maritime operations.
Sinigaglia, a proficient mariner with six years of expertise within the Italian Navy, has been getting ready for this train for months. He supplied beneficial coaching to Forrest Sherman’s bridge crew and stood watch as a tactical communicator throughout particular evolutions all through the train. Whereas aboard, he promoted to the rank of LTRJ and had his shoulder boards changed by Cmdr. Lawrence Heyworth IV, commanding officer of Forrest Sherman.
“It was a privilege to coach alongside the Forrest Sherman crew, totally built-in in one of many greatest Italian naval workout routines,” stated Sinigaglia. “The combination of younger officers like me in these multi-national workout routines represents one other probability to hone and improve our abilities as mariners and warfighters inside the NATO Alliance.”
Train Mare Aperto 22 supplied a novel alternative for enhanced interoperability and interchangeability on the excessive seas between NATO Allies. All through the train, the taking part models performed anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, digital warfare workout routines, in addition to a number of replenishment-at-sea.
“Collaborating in Mare Aperto 22 aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer has modified my perspective a full 360 levels,” stated Sinigaglia. “The U.S. Navy has a deep understanding of the maritime area, freedom of navigation, securing maritime commerce routes, and defending sea strains of communication. This gave me the chance to boost my abilities as Weapon Director and officer for the Italian Navy.”
The 2 junior officers took away many classes by immersing themselves within the way of life and warfighting mentality of the opposite nation’s navy. By understanding how the opposite navy plans, trains and executes, we are going to develop into stronger as a crew.
“Interoperability is likely one of the hallmarks of what we’re doing right here within the Mediterranean with our NATO allies,” stated Zorzi. “Standing watch on the bridge, studying the ships traits, and most significantly attending to know the Sailors onboard, has bolstered {our relationships} and improved our interoperability.”
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) is the flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), a multinational built-in job group that tasks a continuing and visual reminder of the Alliance’s solidarity and cohesion afloat and gives the Alliance with a steady maritime functionality to carry out a variety of duties, together with workout routines and real-world operations in durations of disaster and battle.
