The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) partnered with the Royal Moroccan Navy’s Sigma-class frigate Allal Ben Abdallah (F 615) to transit the Strait of Gibraltar and enter the Mediterranean Sea during a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, Dec. 14, 2021.
The transit with the Allal Ben Abdallah comes after the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and its accompanying strike group departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida, Dec. 1.
“It was a great experience for our team to sail alongside the Moroccan Royal Navy. Our carrier strike group proved once again today their versatility to enhance interoperability with like-minded partners in both training and real world operations,” said Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander Carrier Strike Group 8. “With our Moroccan partners we certainly share the goal of fostering conditions for maritime security and stability in the region and to deter or counter those who threaten security anywhere in the world.”
While in U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations the HSTCSG will work alongside allied and partner maritime forces, focusing on theater security cooperation efforts to further regional stability. Partnering with the Moroccan Navy through the Strait of Gibraltar demonstrates the strong maritime partnership with Morocco and commitment to international law.
Previous at-sea engagement with the Moroccan Navy occurred with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group’s (IKE CSG) participation in Lightning Handshake, a bi-lateral maritime exercise between the U.S. and the Royal Moroccan Navy (RMN) and Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) conducted in March 2021.
Elements of the strike group, commanded by Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw, include flagship Truman, commanded by Capt. Gavin Duff; the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, commanding by CAPT Matthew Barr; staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), Commanded by CAPT Chris Marvin.
In addition, the strike group includes the guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28 commanded by Captain Todd Zenner which include, USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Gravely (DDG 107), and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), and the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Fridtjof-Nansen class frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310).
“Our Sailors are always ready to provide flexible mission capabilities, ranging from supporting maritime security operations and provide crisis response capability, to increasing theater security cooperation and providing forward naval presence in fleet areas of operation,” said Capt. Gavin Duff, Truman’s commanding officer. “We are prepared to integrate seamlessly whether it with the other ships, in the skies, or across the seas.”
HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen’s integration with the Truman Strike Group is the first Norwegian cooperative deployer in history representing a milestone in the overall defense cooperation between Norway and the United States.
The strike group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security, and defend U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa."
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