MEDITERRANEAN SEA –
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) executed a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Tunisian naval counterparts in the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 22, 2020.
Winston S. Churchill conducted the exercise off the coast of northern Africa with Tunisian Navy ships Hanon (612) and Hasdrubal (509).
“The crew and myself are honored to have this opportunity to train with our North African partners,” said Cmdr. Timothy F. Shanley, commanding officer of Winston S. Churchill. “Conducting exercises like this enhance our professional relationships and improves overall coordination with allies and partner militaries.”
U.S. Navy vessels routinely conduct training with allies and partners in order to enhance interoperability and increase capacity in order to strengthen the regional maritime security.
Winston S. Churchill departed Norfolk, Virginia, Aug. 10 for a regularly-scheduled deployment to maintain maritime stability and security and ensure access, deter aggression, and defend U.S., allied and partner interest around the globe.
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.