Commander, Task Force 64 Established

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa established Commander, Task Force 64, a command focused on Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe, in ceremony held in Naples Italy.

Commodore Jeffrey Wolstenholme assumed command of the newly established Commander, Task Force 64 (CTF 64) during a ceremony held on U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples, Capodichino, in Naples, Italy March 24, 2016.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and U.S. Fleet Forces Command established CTF 64 to create a command focused on Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) in Europe.

Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. James Foggo III stated, “By establishing this task force, U.S. Sixth Fleet is aligning our organization to better address the changing threats in Europe.  [Capt. Wolstenholme] will be formally identified as the U.S. ballistic missile defense expert in his position as commander of Sixth Fleet’s Task Force 64 and as Commander of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Task Force.”

Commodore Jeffery Wolstenholme, Commander, Task Force 64 commented, "The United States made a commitment to our NATO partners called the European Phased Adaptive Approach, to help defend NATO Europe against Ballistic Missile threats from the Middle East. And, as part of this commitment to NATO, the Navy has established this new Task Force to be the operational commander for Aegis Ashore and the tactical commander directing our Ballistic Missile Defense forces in defense of NATO Europe.”