French Navy Rear Adm. Christophe Cluzel, commander, French Carrier Strike Group (CSG), visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) amidst operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 27, 2022.
While visiting, Cluzel toured the ship and spoke to Sailors about life on board and Roosevelt’s recent and enduring operations.
"Admiral Cluzel and his team have very professionally and rapidly integrated us within this international force,” said Cmdr. John Mastriani, Roosevelt’s commanding officer. “The Roosevelt team is proud to provide our unique capabilities to his incredibly flexible and dynamic strike group."
Roosevelt has been operating under the French CSG, which includes French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91), several French frigates and a French replenishment tanker.
The French CSG departed Toulon, France, Nov. 15, 2022 to begin its deployment: Mission Antares. During deployment, the strike group has also operated closely with CSG 10/George H.W. Bush CSG and the Italian Cavour CSG, as well as the UK Littoral Response Group (N) and the NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM)’s Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2.
U.S. Sixth Fleet units routinely exercise and operate with their French counterparts in exercises throughout the European region, and Allied units routinely integrate into one another’s CSGs, enhancing interoperability and interchangeability.
Roosevelt, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, began its fourth Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol Sept. 27 in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
Four U.S. Navy destroyers, including Roosevelt, are based in Rota, Spain and are assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 in support of NATO’s Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture. These FDNF-E ships have the flexibility to operate throughout the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime domain.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.