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MEDITERRANEAN SEA – Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral James Morley, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Rear Admiral Marco Papi, visited the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) during their transit to the Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 13, 2021.

This visit strengthened the STRIKFORNATO working relationship with the HSTCSG, demonstrating NATO's cohesion and ability to integrate effectively U.S. and NATO forces in support of high-end operations, exercises and peacetime vigilance activities, as it enters in the U.S. Sixth Fleet (SIXTHFLT) area of operations.

Vice Adm. Gene Black is dual hatted as commander SIXTHFLT and STRIKFORNATO. The continuity of having one commander for the two commands complements the flexibility and unique capacity that each command brings to the NATO Alliance.

This unique command structure enables STRIKFORNATO to assume command and control, or Hand Over/ Take Over (HOTO), of high-end U.S. and NATO naval forces into task organized units to accomplish Alliance missions.

STRIKFORNATO Deputy Commander, Rear Adm. James Morley, renders honors to side boys on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Dec. 13, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by MCS T'ara Tripp)

STRIKFORNATO Deputy Commander, Rear Adm. James Morley, left, and Capt. Shane Marchesi, executive officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), observe flight operations on Truman's flight deck, Dec. 13, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by MCS T'ara Tripp)

Capt. Shane Marchesi, executive officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), left, speaks with Royal Navy Rear Adm. James Morley, deputy commander Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, on the bridge, Dec. 13, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by MCS Abbigail Beardsley)

In October, STRIKFORNATO participated as a NATO Headquarters in the HSTCGS Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). The Strike Group Units trained on NATO procedures, communications and policies in order to better prepare the ships, aircraft and staff for their current carrier deployment.

The HSTCSG is on a scheduled deployment in the SIXTHFLT 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.

SIXTHFLT, headquartered in Naples, Italy, 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.

STRIKFORNATO, headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal, is Supreme Allied Commander Europe's (SACEUR) premier, rapidly deployable and flexible, maritime power projection Headquarters, capable of planning and executing full spectrum joint maritime operations, primarily through the integration of U.S. naval and amphibious forces, in order to provide assurance, deterrence and collective defense for the Alliance.