The presence of the HSTCSG demonstrates the multi-mission capability of the U.S. Navy's globally deployed force and is part of an ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

Quote:

"We are thrilled to have the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group here in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations and look forward to having them on our team as we conduct the full spectrum of maritime operations to include working alongside our NATO allies and regional partners. Our U.S. 6th fleet motto is "Power for Peace," and there is no more recognizable symbol of American naval power than a carrier strike group. Their presence in this vital region is a reflection of our commitment to a safe, prosperous and free Europe and Africa."

-- Vice Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet

Quick Facts:

-- The HSTCSG consists of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), along with the embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28. Embarked aviation squadrons include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11; VFA-81; VFA-136; VFA-211; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137; Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11; and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40. The Sachsen-class German frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) is also operating as part of the strike group during the initial portion of the deployment. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) are slated to deploy and rejoin the strike group at a later date.

-- The HSTCSG departed Naval Station Norfolk, April 11, for a regularly scheduled deployment.

-- The HSTCSG previously operated in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations from June to July 2016.

-- The most recent aircraft carrier strike group to operate in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations was the USS George H.W. Bush CSG, which conducted combat operations from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea from Jan. 28 to March 9, 2017, and again from July 5-19, 2017.

-- 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.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Source: U.S. Navy USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Source: U.S. Navy Close

Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia (80 percent); and Norfolk, Virginia (20 percent), and will be completed by June 2019.

Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,765,095 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

Source: Royal Navy Source: Royal Navy Close

Held at her home base of Portsmouth, the commissioning ceremony for HMS Forth represents the second ship to join the Royal Navy in less than six months.

After the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in December, HMS Forth is the next generation of warships to arrive as part of the government’s £178bn plan to give the Armed Forces the equipment it needs over the next decade.

She is the first of five new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) designed for counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, fishery protection, border patrol, counter terrorism and maritime defense duties.

Commanding Officer, Commander Bob Laverty, said: "It’s a privilege to be the Commanding Officer of HMS Forth, the first in class of the new Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels.

"The body of work being put in by my ship's company will be reflected in not just one, but all five brand new platforms being delivered to the RN and these fantastic ships will be a fine addition to the fleet.

"They are a highly capable and versatile warship and I am immensely proud of the effort and sacrifices all have made that have allowed us to be here today."

Classified as Batch 2 River-class OPVs HMS Forth and her sisters - HMS Trent, Medway, Tamar and Spey - are a significant upgrade on HMS Tyne, Severn, Mersey and Clyde, which were designed and built 15 years ago. With HMS Forth entering service this year the remaining four ships are all expected to arrive in Portsmouth by 2020.

They will become the Royal Navy’s eyes and ears around the UK, helping to safeguard fishing stocks, reassure and protect the Falkland Islands and are capable of deploying to the Mediterranean and Caribbean to safeguard the UK’s interests around the world.

Designed for a total crew of around 58, but requiring only 34 to go to sea, she can spend up to 320 days a year on operations. The larger crew allows a rotation of personnel to ensure they get to spend time at home or on training.

Built by BAE Systems at their base on the Clyde, the new OPVs are four knots faster than their predecessors at 24 knots, have an increased range of 5,500 nautical miles, have a 30mm automatic cannon as their main armament instead of a 20mm gun, two Miniguns, four machine-guns and are equipped with two Pacific 24 sea boats.

Each ship has an extended flight deck to operate up to Merlin size helicopters and accommodation for up to 50 embarked Royal Marines for boarding and supporting operations ashore if required.

The new OPVs will be supported at Portsmouth Naval Base by BAE Systems, initially under the terms of the manufacturing contract.

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