By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Edward Guttierrez
III, USS Vella Gulf Public Affairs
AEGEAN SEA (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile
cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) conducted joint maritime operations with the
Turkish navy fast attack craft TCG Dogan (P 340) and TCG Marti (P 341) after
departing Kusadasi, Turkey on July 6.
Vella Gulf, Dogan and Marti conducted a surface exercise and
a flag communication exercise during the engagements. U.S. Navy ships regularly
hold similar events with partners and allies to foster relationships and
strengthen interoperability.
"Vella Gulf was pleased to conduct another in a series
of exercises with our NATO ally Turkey," said Capt. Robert Katz, Vella
Gulf's commanding officer. "Our interactions with the Turkish Navy during
our deployment have shown them to be highly proficient and professional; this
exercise was no different. We look forward to working with them again during
Exercise Breeze in the Black Sea."
The surface exercise required the participants to repel a
simulated attack by small fast attack / fast inland attack craft. The second
part of the exercise required the ships to communicate only via the use of
signal flags.
Vella Gulf, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is conducting
naval operations with partners and allies in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of
operations in order to advance security and stability in Europe.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the
full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied,
joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests
and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
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