U.S. Navy to Withdraw from Italy
In a move to adjust its forces to meet current and future readiness needs in the European theater, the United States and Italy have decided to remove U.S. Navy forces from La Maddalena, Sardinia, according to a Naval Newsstand report. The U.S. and Italian governments are working on a timeline for the withdrawal of forces. The United States has determined that the capabilities provided by the installation are no longer required due to the realities of the new century’s security environment. The departure of the Navy will affect approximately 1,800 people employed on the base. Approximately 1,100 are U.S. Navy personnel serving aboard USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and the associated submarine support squadron. There are an additional 475 military members, 150 local nationals and 75 U.S.
USS Porter, USS Carr Deploy in War Against Terror
More than 600 Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and the frigate USS Carr (FFG 52), homeported in Norfolk, deployed Nov. 28 in support of the global war on terrorism, according to a Naval Newsstand report. Porter and Carr will participate in regional exercises with allies as a Surface Strike Group (SSG). The SSG will make diplomatic port calls and respond to any contingency operations, including those associated with the war on terrorism. The ships will be operating from the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and off the west coast of Africa. The SSG is a flexible group that can operate independently or in conjunction with other maritime forces to provide support for joint and allied forces. Source: Naval Newsstand
Expeditionary Strike Group 8 Enters Suez Canal
Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 8 passed through the Suez Canal on November 26, entering the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) to conduct maritime security operations (MSO) and support further tasking from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), says a recent Naval Newsstand report. Using a supported/supporting relationship between the Navy and Marine commanders, the ESG composition adds to the proven amphibious and Marine Expeditionary Unit capabilities with increased defenses, strike, power projection, and a range of unique combined capabilities. These capabilities provide the combatant commander a wide variety of options and enables sustained independent operations in dynamic environments, according to the report. ESG-8 includes 6,000 Sailors and Marines aboard six ships.
U.S., Chilean Navies Discuss Cooperative Activities
Navy representatives from Chilé and the United States met recently in Florida to discuss action plans and share ideas to enhance cooperative activities between the two navies, according to a Naval Newsstand report. Known as Operational Naval Committees (ONC), the meetings facilitate planning and successful execution of combined maritime operations in the region. Topics discussed included ship rider and subject matter expert exchanges, mobile training teams, foreign liaison officer assignment, and optimizing resources. With much worldwide focus on the Middle East, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), headquartered in Miami, Fla., is actively engaged in Latin America and Caribbean regions.
