The port go to supplies a possibility to reinforce the U.S.-Albanian partnership as the 2 nations work collectively for a steady, safe, and affluent Europe. It additionally permit the Sailors of USS Ramage an opportunity to expertise the tradition and historical past of a key NATO Ally.
As a NATO member since 2009, Albania’s long-standing relationship with NATO, and its continued interoperability with NATO Allies, together with the USA, has solidified the nation’s place as a strategic associate in protection of the Adriatic Sea.
“I welcome the go to of the united statesRamage to Albania as one other step ahead in our strengthening protection partnership, as shut companions and NATO Allies,” stated Demian Smith, Chargé d’Affaires of U.S. Embassy Tirana.
“The spirit of Albania could be very a lot our personal, a proud nation which declared their independence from tyranny and broke free from communist dictatorship,” says Cmdr. Tim Yuhas, commanding officer of the united statesRamage. “Our relationship with Albania is constructed on a basis of shared values, experiences, and imaginative and prescient. All of us need nothing greater than for folks to stay their lives in freedom. With this port go to, we hope to protect this belief between our nice nations.”
Whereas in port, Ramage Sailors may have the chance to go to historic websites such because the Amphitheatre of Durrës, the most important amphitheater within the Balkans, in addition to Durrës Fort, a fortified metropolis constructed underneath Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman affect.
“Rising up because the son of two skilled archaeologists, my dad and mom sparked my curiosity in historical past,” says Gunner’s Mate Seaman Caleb Baker of Littleton, Colorado. “I’m excited to go to the Archaeological Museum of Durrës after its reconstruction.”
Strengthening partnerships through the port go to to Albania builds enduring relationships and emphasizes our shared dedication to selling security and stability throughout the area, whereas in search of alternatives to reinforce our interoperability as NATO allies. Albania just lately participated within the Naval Putting and Help Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO)-led enhanced vigilance exercise Neptune Strike 2023-2 alongside the Gerald R. Ford CSG.
CSG-12, Gerald R. Ford CSG, is on a scheduled deployment within the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa space of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and associate pursuits.
The Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group is comprised of its flagship and namesake, the Ford-class plane service USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), Service Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON-2), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).
The squadrons of CVW-8 embarked aboard Gerald R. Ford are the “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 9, the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, the “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Management Squadron (VAW) 124, the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, the “Blacklions” of VFA-213, the “Golden Warriors” of VFA-87, the “Tomcatters” of VFA-31, the “Grey Wolves” of Digital Assault Squadron (VAQ) 142, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Help Squadron (VRC) 40.
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 means of the total spectrum of joint and naval operations.
