Train Steadfast Defender will contain roughly 90,000 forces from 31 Allies and Sweden.
Steadfast Defender 2024 will validate NATO’s skill to deploy forces quickly from North America and different elements of the Alliance to strengthen the protection of Europe, and it’ll showcase NATO’s skill to conduct and maintain complicated multi-domain operations over a number of months, throughout 1000’s of miles, and in any situations, from the Excessive North to Central and Japanese Europe.
“The departure and transit signify the primary tactical actions of the train and exhibit the power of the trans-Atlantic hyperlink,” mentioned Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, Joint Pressure Command Norfolk and U.S. 2nd Fleet. “Working with our Allies and companions, Gunston Corridor will embark Swedish and Finnish forces who will conduct amphibious landings all through Norway. I’m additionally sending a contingent of my U.S. 2nd Fleet employees to Norway to command and management NATO maritime forces as Activity Pressure North. These efforts clearly exhibit North America’s dedication to NATO.”
For the final a number of years, Joint Pressure Command Norfolk and U.S. 2nd Fleet joined different NATO instructions planning Steadfast Defender 24.
“The Alliance will exhibit its skill to strengthen the Euro-Atlantic space through trans-Atlantic motion of forces from North America,” mentioned Gen. Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe. “Steadfast Defender 2024 might be a transparent demonstration of our unity, power, and dedication to guard one another, our values and the rules-based worldwide order.”
Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. David J. Patchell, vice commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, who might be forward-deployed supporting the train, visited Gunston Corridor days previous to the ship’s departure to debate the upcoming NATO train and its significance to U.S. 2nd Fleet’s readiness to defend Allies and companions.
“This crew’s preparations and their journey throughout the Atlantic signify the place to begin of this historic NATO train,” Patchell mentioned. “Demonstrating NATO’s skill to quickly deploy forces from North America and different elements of the Alliance, Gunston Corridor will signify the U.S. Navy and is a necessary component of the multinational NATO amphibious power.”
Gunston Corridor is among the most versatile amphibious platforms within the U.S. Navy. With two giant helicopter touchdown pads, the biggest properly deck within the fleet and troop berthing amenities, she has the flexibility to embark a various array of army forces, together with NATO Allies and companions when wanted.
“Gunston Corridor Sailors are trying ahead to the experiences concerned in working abroad and dealing intently with our Allies,” mentioned Cmdr. Christopher W. Van Loenen, commanding officer of Gunston Corridor. “The dialog with the Rear Adm. Patchell gave us perception into why workouts like this one are so essential and the way essential it’s to maintain our ship battle prepared.”
This 12 months marks NATO’s seventy fifth Anniversary, with a defensive Alliance that has grown from 12 to 31.
“For 75 years, NATO Allies have labored collectively to maintain our one billion individuals protected,” Perry mentioned. “On this second the place we face probably the most harmful and unpredictable safety setting, Steadfast Defender sends a transparent message – NATO is succesful, fashionable, and if required, able to defend each inch of Allied territory.”
U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the altering world safety setting, develops and employs maritime forces able to battle throughout a number of domains within the Atlantic and Arctic with the intention to guarantee entry, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and companion pursuits.
U.S. Navy images and b-roll can be found on DVIDS. For extra data, contact c2f_pao@us.navy.mil.
