By Navy Seaman Sara Eshleman, USS Harry S. Truman
Two coalition naval vessels arrived at Naval Station Norfolk
here in recent days to conduct training and operations as part of the USS Harry
S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.
Partnership
"Any time we can operate with another one of our allies
anywhere in the world, we gain from it and they gain from it," said U.S.
Navy Rear Adm. Gene Black, commander of USS Harry S. Truman. "I've always
had great success working with coalition partners, and this is just a similar
task with a more complex mission set. I'm very confident of our success and
look forward to sailing with these two great ships."
According to Truman's foreign cooperation officers,
partnerships like this are designed to strengthen cooperation and
interoperability between the nations' armed forces. Integrating with foreign
navies can prove challenging, they said, but months of planning and
coordination took place to ensure a seamless integration, with the German and
Norwegian warships prepared to demonstrate their capabilities.
‘Challenging, Exciting Training’
"We are looking forward to a challenging and exciting
training with the U.S. Navy," said Hessen's commanding officer, German
navy Cmdr. Oliver Pfennig. "The integration of German warship Hessen in
the carrier strike group requires a lot of trust in our capabilities and we
will perform professionally and competently in all upcoming CSG
operations."
After the exercise, Hessen will remain with the strike group
to participate in its upcoming deployment. This is not Hessen's first time
operating with the Truman. The ships deployed together in 2010.