All through the previous week and a half, Forrest Sherman carried out operations with Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate Almirante Juan de Borbón (F-102) of the Spanish Navy, Barbaros-class frigate TCG Kemalreis (F-247) of the Turkish Navy, and Kortenaer-class frigate HS Kountouriotis (F462) of the Hellenic Navy.
Collectively as members of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), the ships within the activity group carried out distinctive and tactical occasions reminiscent of stay hearth gunnery workouts, digital warfare workouts, air protection workouts, and communication workouts. Whereas working collectively supplies for elevated interoperability and improved communications throughout dynamic workouts, it additionally straight helps the aim and rules outlined within the 2022 NATO Strategic Idea.
NATO Heads of State and Authorities accepted a brand new Strategic Idea for the Alliance in Madrid on June 29, 2022, setting out the Alliance’s priorities, core duties and approaches for the subsequent decade. The Strategic Idea describes the safety surroundings dealing with the Alliance, reaffirms NATO’s values, and spells out NATO’s key function of making certain our collective protection. It additional units out NATO’s three core duties of deterrence and protection; disaster prevention and administration; and cooperative safety.
The earlier Strategic Idea was adopted on the NATO Lisbon Summit in 2010. For the reason that finish of the Chilly Warfare, it has been up to date roughly each 10 years to account for modifications to the worldwide safety surroundings and to verify the Alliance is ready for the longer term.
“Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) is devoted to place into follow the core duties outlined within the Strategic Idea,” mentioned Rear Adm. Scott Sciretta, commander, SNMG2. “By working as one workforce within the Mediterranean, we prioritize specializing in steady enchancment as our adversaries quickly improve capabilities and exhibit intent to threaten our nationwide pursuits. The Alliance is stronger collectively and we are going to proceed to exhibit how our combat-credible, ahead deployed fleet is probably the most potent, versatile and versatile instrument of navy energy. Simply as we succeed after we function collectively at sea, port visits are also key alternatives to proceed to construct these very important relationships with our Allies and Companions.”
Whereas in port Souda Bay, Sailors can have the chance to take part in a wide range of excursions throughout the island of Crete, whereas having fun with native meals, artwork, historical past and out of doors actions. Moreover, there will likely be two neighborhood relations (COMREL) occasions at Kalathas and Stalos seashores the place Sailors will help in a clean-up effort.
“Forrest Sherman Sailors and our NATO allies in SNMG2 are on the forefront of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Navigation Plan 2022,” mentioned Cmdr. Lawrence Heyworth IV, commanding officer of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98). “This activity group is strengthening built-in deterrence and strengthening strategic partnerships on daily basis we sail collectively.”
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) is the flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), a multinational built-in activity group that tasks a relentless and visual reminder of the Alliance’s solidarity and cohesion afloat and supplies the Alliance with a steady maritime functionality to carry out a variety of duties, together with workouts and real-world operations in intervals of disaster and battle.
