Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Italy, commemorated the 79th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic in the bay of XXXX aboard the Icelandic Coast Guard Vessel Thor, Oct. 16, 2018.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign during World War II and involved the naval blockade of Germany the day after the declaration of war.
“Today we commemorate the turning of the Battle of the Atlantic, and pay homage to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for us and our children,” said Foggo. “To the nation of Iceland, your countrymen paid a high price, more than 200 Icelanders were killed at sea and today we remember them and give our thanks for their sacrifice and our thanks to the people of Iceland who stood, with unwavering commitment, alongside the allies.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson delivered remarks during the ceremony before joining Foggo in a wreath laying followed by a moment of silence.
“The battle was won by the entire peoples of the United Nations,” said Foggo. “It was the triumph of right over evil – the calm determination of men and women of many different races, languages, and creeds, no matter what the personal sacrifice, to prevent the domination and enslavement of the world.”
While in Iceland, Foggo will review the amphibious landing on Wednesday and meet with Icelandic government officials.
NATO and its partners will take part in exercise Trident Juncture 2018. The exercise, hosted by Iceland, will include around 50,000 personnel from NATO countries, as well as Finland and Sweden, and will test NATO’s collective response to an armed attack against one ally, invoking Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa\U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.