The ship’s presence within the Excessive North is an indication of the U.S. Navy’s continued dedication to collective protection of the European area and reinforces the sturdy bond between the U.S. and Iceland.
“Now we have been very lucky to have the ability to work with our NATO Allies and companions whereas conducing joint workout routines right here within the waters of Iceland,” stated Capt. Eric Kellum, commanding officer of USS Arlington. “I’m trying ahead to furthering our sturdy relations whereas getting some good coaching as a group and for our troops to get to expertise the attractive nation of Iceland first hand throughout our time right here. Now we have been significantly lucky to work with and be taught from the Icelandic Coast Guard, native regulation enforcement and first responders and a contingency of U.Ok. Royal Marines throughout train Northern Viking. Now we have been in a position to conduct shared studying, strengthening our skill to work collectively and leverage one another’s strengths.”
Whereas in Reykjavik, Arlington’s management will take part in ship visits and workplace calls with native and army management, whereas the crew partakes in a number of native excursions and experiences the wealthy tradition of Iceland and its residents by way of visits to historic websites. Arlington’s chaplain, Lt. Paul Rockrohr, can also be spearheading a group relations challenge to construct sturdy connections with the native Icelandic group.
Arlington has been collaborating in Train Northern Viking 2022 (NV22) since arriving within the Excessive North. British Royal Marines, hooked up to 42 Commando, embarked Arlington April 6 and educated with the twenty second MEU throughout the train, strengthening interoperability and power readiness between the U.S., Iceland and collaborating Allied nations.
Joint coaching carried out between allied forces throughout NV22 embody at-sea casualty evacuation coaching; tactical restoration of plane and personnel; and go to, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) coaching.
The twenty second MEU and 42 Commando carried out a simulated raid in Whale Harbor, Iceland April 11 as a part of a distinguished customer day wherein Vice Adm. Gene Black, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet; Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, commander, Allied Joint Power Command-Norfolk; Main Gen. Francis Donovan, commanding basic 2nd Marine Division; and Icelandic dignitaries attended to focus on the 71 yr protection relationship between Iceland and the U.S. after the 1951 Protection Settlement.
The Kearsarge ARG and embarked twenty second MEU are below the command and management of Job Power 61/2. The ARG consists of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the Whidbey Island-class dock touchdown ship USS Gunston Corridor (LSD 44), and San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington, homeported within the U.S. state of Virginia.
The ARG-MEU group lately departed homeports in Virginia and North Carolina, U.S. for a scheduled deployment within the U.S. sixth Fleet space of operations conducting international maritime operations and safety in help of allied and accomplice pursuits in Europe and Africa.
Embarked instructions with the Kearsarge ARG embody Amphibious Squadron SIX, Fleet Surgical Crew 2, Tactical Air Management Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron 28, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4, Naval Seaside Group 2, Seaside Grasp Unit 2 and the twenty second MEU.
Amphibious prepared teams and bigger amphibious activity forces present army commanders a variety of versatile capabilities together with maritime safety operations, expeditionary energy projection, strike operations, ahead naval presence, disaster response, sea management, deterrence, counter-terrorism, data operations, safety cooperation and counter-proliferation, and humanitarian help and catastrophe reduction.
U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations, usually in live performance with allied and interagency companions, so as to advance U.S. nationwide pursuits, safety, and stability in Europe and Africa.
