Serving the nato, naples and Gaeta military community in italy
58th year, no. 25
Friday, June 28, 2013
BALTOPS ‘13 Culminates at Kiel Week By Lt.j.g. Loren M. Terry, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO, Public Affairs
Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2013, a multi-national forces exercise, drew to a close June 22 in Kiel, Germany. In Kiel, BALTOPS’ events include a post exercise discussion; ship tours of the BALTOPS Maritime Force by local government officials, military members and the public; a reception aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20); as well as participation in Kiel Week. Kiel Week is a 9-day sailing festival. The event has a history of more than 200 years, attracts many world famous participants and draws more than 2,000 sail boats and 5,000 participants yearly. “As a complement to a successful BALTOPS, we are able to participate in Kiel Week, which provides an exciting opportunity to continue developing and enjoying relationships with our coalition partners. Those relationships contribute to a successful BALTOPS and future military operations,” said Cmdr. Lance Lesher, acting afloat deputy commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2. Focusing on interoperability and team building, BALTOPS promotes and fosters maritime security and cooperation among regional partners. “BALTOPS promotes mutual understanding, confidence, coop-
sailors assigned to the amphibious command ship Uss Mount Whitney (LCC 20) man the rails as the ship arrives in Kiel, Germany at the conclusion of exercise Baltic Operations (BaLtOPs) 2013. now in its 41st year, BaLtOPs 2013 is an annual, multinational exercise to enhance maritime capabilities and interoperability with partner nations to promote maritime safety and security in the Baltic sea. (Photo by MC1 Collin Turner)
eration and interoperability among the participating forces,” explained Cmdr. Soeren Larsen, commanding officer of the
Danish frigate HDMS Absalon (L16). “BALTOPS is an excellent venue for that purpose.” BALTOPS ‘13 began in Ronne,
Denmark and Ventspils, Latvia with pre-sail conferences followed by an at-sea phase that included exercises focused on
maritime interdiction operations, mine countermeasures, undersea warfare and seamanship. see BALTOPS ‘13 Page 12
CSG Eight Holds Change of Command By MC1 Christopher Stoltz, U.S. Naval Forces Europe- Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
Submarine Group Eight held a change of command ceremony in Naples, Italy, June 21, where Rear Adm. Frederick J. Roegge was relieved by Rear Adm. Robert P. Burke. Adm. Bruce Clingan, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, presented Rear Adm. Roegge earlier in the week with the Legion of Merit Medal for his leadership of U.S. and NATO operations throughout Europe and Africa. “Your dedication to the mission and to the command were apparent, and your reluctance to depart is clear, but you can rest easy knowing all of us will work hard to uphold the exceptional standard of performance you have established, and to build upon your legacy of extraordinary achievements,” said Adm. Clingan. “From counter-terrorism in Somalia, to ballistic missile defense in the Eastern Mediterranean; from anti-submarine operations in the North Atlantic to law enforcement and anti-piracy in Africa – your acumen and experience have enabled the U.S.
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and NATO to achieve their operational ambitions and maintain their vigilance over the entire AOR." Rear Adm. Roegge was quick to attribute his success to the Sailors he led. “I was so privileged because of the great work that you do every day conducting maritime operations from the North Pole to South Africa, and from the Mid-Atlantic to the middle of the Indian Ocean. Thank you.” Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe, commander, 6th Fleet, remarked on Rear Adm. Roegge’s reputation and dedication to the mission. “You have carried a tremendous load for our Naples team, our Navy and our NATO Alliance,” said Vice Adm. Pandolfe. “And in serving as Director for Plans and Operations for U.S. Naval Forces EuropeAfrica; deputy commander for Sixth Fleet; commander, Submarine Group Eight; and commander, Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South, you met every challenge with enthusiasm, innovation, and wonderful professionalism. No one has done it better.” Rear Adm. Burke comes to Naples after serving as director of Joint and Fleet
Rear adm. Robert P. Burke, left, salutes Rear adm. Frederick J. Roegge, right, commander, submarine Group eight, during the change of command ceremony at naval support activity naples. during the ceremony, Rear adm. Burke relieved Rear adm. Roegge as commander, submarine Group eight (Photo by MCSN Luis R. Chavez Jr.)
Operations at U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. Rear Adm. Roegge will continue his career as director, Military
Personnel, Plans, and Policy for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C.
W hat ’ s I nsIde
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Weekly crime statistics SUNDAY High 82 / Low 73 Clear
Review what happened between June 20 and June 26. Page 7
Region Command Picnic
Eurasia Partnership Dive 2013 Page 4
Page 5
Happy Birthday Doc! Page 9