The routine visit allowed Vice Adm. Black to personally engage with staff members, attend in-person meetings with STRIKFORNATO leadership and receive updates on various upcoming exercises and projects within the high operational tempo in the headquarters.
The visit was also an opportunity to celebrate STRIKFORNATO's 69th Anniversary and recognise the outstanding work and dedication of three staff members with an award ceremony.
Vice Adm. Black works with STRIKFORNATO on a daily basis but spends most of his time in Naples, Italy within the U.S. Sixth Fleet; serving as U.S. Sixth Fleet and STRIKFORNATO Commander. Having a 'dual-hatted' Commander is critical to the integration of high-end U.S. and other nations' naval forces into Alliance operations.
U.S. Sixth Fleet, 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 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 defence for the Alliance.
