Freezing Winds enhanced navy capabilities and strengthened the partnership between the U.S. and Finland in a difficult surroundings. The train concerned items and personnel from 12 nations, together with Finland, Sweden, the US and NATO Allied Maritime Command’s (MARCOM) Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1. The train included mixed joint maritime operations with each naval and amphibious points, testing allied and associate nations’ interoperability and proficiency by quite a lot of warfare areas in a difficult situation.
“Our annual maritime protection train gives a novel alternative to rehearse demanding fight duties within the harsh November climate circumstances of the Baltic Sea,” stated Commodore Jukka Anteroinen, Chief of Employees of the Finnish Navy Command. “The involvement of the U.S. companions is a really welcome enhancement to the Finnish Navy’s Freezing Winds 22 train. Excessive-level belongings equivalent to USS Paul Ignatius, P8 Poseidon and the at all times skilled Marine Corps personnel convey a terrific add-on worth to our maritime operations with vital capabilities they supply. Our mixed coaching will enhance the steadiness and safety of the complete Baltic Sea area.”
Paul Ignatius joined the train on Nov. 25 and has participated in quite a few occasions in the course of the train to construct expertise in communications integration, formation steaming, air and missile protection, floor warfare and strike warfare. Moreover, Sailors carried out cross deck evolutions with the Royal Danish Navy Absalon-class frigate HDMS Esbern Snare (F342) and Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803), each presently assigned to SNMG 1.
“My crew and I are grateful for the improbable train facilitated and led by our Finnish companions. Freezing Winds 22 gives a wonderful platform for a number of nations to additional combine and improve our lethality at sea,” stated Cmdr. Aaron Arky, commanding officer of Paul Ignatius. “The soundness and safety of the Baltic area relies upon upon the energy of our navies. The Finnish Navy is a world class group and my crew was honored to sail with them in true chilly climate environments.”
Paul Ignatius’ participation in Freezing Winds and subsequent port go to to Helsinki additional bolsters the sturdy and enduring relationships established between U.S. and Finnish navy forces, particularly within the maritime area. Earlier this 12 months, a number of U.S. destroyers and ships assigned to the Kearsarge Amphibious Prepared Group, together with USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), carried out port calls in Helsinki whereas working all through the Baltic Sea.
Whereas in port, the crew will benefit from the sights and tradition of Helsinki and welcome some friends onboard for guided excursions. This go to gives a chance for Paul Ignatius Sailors and the native Finnish inhabitants to strengthen interpersonal bonds because the U.S. and Finland proceed their shut coordination to make sure safety and stability within the Baltic Sea area.
4 U.S. Navy destroyers, together with Paul Ignatius, are based mostly in Rota, Spain and are assigned to Commander, Process Power 65 in help of NATO’s Built-in Air Missile Protection structure. These FDNF-E ships have the flexibleness to function all through the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime area.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has solid 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 duty. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
