Serving the NATO, Naples and Gaeta Military Community in Italy Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards – 2016 Best Newspaper in the Navy
64th year, No. 7
Friday, February 22, 2019
USS Donald Cook En Route to the Black Sea By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ford Williams
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) began its north-bound transit of the Dardanelles Strait, en route to the Black Sea February 19, 2019, to conduct maritime security operations and enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness and naval capability with our NATO allies and partners in the region. The ship last visited the Black Sea in January 2019, during which time it visited Batumi, Georgia, and conducted an exercise with two Georgian Coast Guard ships. During its time in port the ship’s crew was warmly received by their Georgian hosts and were greeted on the pier with an arrival ceremony that included a traditional Georgian dance. “Each visit here affords us the unique opportunity to work with our regional maritime partners,” Cmdr. Matthew Powel, commanding officer of Donald Cook, said. “The crew and I look forward to experiencing the rich history and culture in this region.”
Cyber Command Expects Lessons from 2018 Midterms to Apply in 2020 The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) transits the Dardanelles Strait, February 19, 2019. Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its eighth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ford Williams
The ship’s operations in the Black Sea will strengthen interoperability with NATO allies and partners and demonstrate collective resolve to Black Sea security under Operation Atlantic Resolve. The U.S. Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea con-
sistent with the Montreux Convention and international law. Donald Cook, forward-deployed at Naval Station Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.
U.S. 6th 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.
Shanahan: NATO Allies Unified in Face of Security Threats By Jim Garamone
NATO allies have recognized the threats facing the world and are putting their money where their mouths are, plussing up defense spending by $100 billion, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said at the conclusion of the alliance’s defense ministers’ conference in Brussels last Thursday. The secretary praised NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for his part in getting the alliance countries to contribute more to offset the threats posed by Russia, China and violent extremism. This was Shanahan’s first NATO meeting in his new job, and he said the discussions were fruitful and
illuminating. “By developing NATO’s political guidance, we ensured our planning is focused on generating the right capabilities to remain focused on current and emerging threats,” he said. “We will lead; not lag.” Must Translate Investments to Results The allies discussed the way forward and described the progress they have made since the 2014 Wales Summit – where the countries agreed each should spend 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense. “Our responsibility moving forward, must be to translate these investments into real results,” the secretary said. This is already translating into al-
liance readiness, Shanahan noted, praising the progress being made in the “4-30” initiative – 30 battalions, 30 aircraft squadrons, 30 ships ready to move in 30 days. Money builds military capabilities and capacity, and these are being demonstrated in exercises such as last year’s Trident Juncture, the largest NATO exercise since the end of the Cold War. Shanahan said these exercises demonstrate alliance resolve and point to areas where the members can improve. NATO is engaging threats beyond Europe, he said, confronting “cyber and hybrid threats, threats in space and threats to our military and civilian telecommunications infrastructure.” NATO ALLIES UNIFIED
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CAPTAIN’S CORNER. . . . . . . . . 2 BASE NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FFSC CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . 5
By C. Todd Lopez
Efforts to protect the 2018 midterm elections from foreign interference are expected to be studied and reapplied to protect the November 2020 elections, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command said on Capitol Hill last Thursday. During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone told lawmakers that protecting the 2018 midterms from meddling adversaries was both a priority and a challenge. “The defense of the 2018 midterm elections posed a significant strategic challenge to our nation,” Nakasone said. “Ensuring a safe and secure election was our No. 1 priority, and drove me to establish a joint U.S. Cyber Command /NSA effort we called the Russia Small Group.” Nakasone serves as commander of Cybercom and as director of the National Security Agency. In submitted testimony, Nakasone said agencies including U.S. European Command, U.S. Northern Command, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and others had been asked to defend the integrity of America’s 2018 midterm elections. The Russia Small Group resulted from their partnership, he said.
SOUND OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MOVIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 JOBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 FAV AMERICAN TRADITION SUNDAY WAFFLES . . . . page 5
SOCCER FUN FACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14
USO TOURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 WORD SEARCH / COLOR ME 14
Persistent Presence in Cyberspace “We created a persistent presence in cyberspace to monitor adversary actions and CYBER COMMAND Page 7