NAVAL STATION ROTA –
Midshipmen assigned to the Spanish Navy Santa Maria-class frigate Numancia (F83) toured the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) and U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen assigned to Carney toured Numancia, June 20, 2019.
Midshipmen were able to interact with each other during the respective tours, learning about the capabilities, similarities, and differences between the ships and crews.
“It was a great opportunity for us to meet with other midshipmen and a ship of a partner nation,” said Midshipman 3rd Class Grace Conlin, from Sacramento, California. “I look forward to obtaining my commission and joining the fleet and working alongside our NATO allies.”
The Spanish Midshipmen toured Carney’s exterior weapon systems, radar equipment, and the flight deck. While inside the ship they were able to view living quarters, galleys, and the bridge.
“Carney being forward-deployed to Rota provides the United States with unique and sustainable partnership opportunities with our European Allies,” said L.t j.g. Stuart Siberski, training officer aboard Carney. “Having the opportunity to engage face-to-face with our Spanish partners continues to enable us to grow stronger as an interoperable force.”
Midshipmen from universities across the United States participate in annual summer training with various U.S. Navy platforms across different communities, including surface. This training is important to a midshipman’s professional training and provides midshipmen with first-hand knowledge and experiences in different communities as they prepare to join the fleet upon graduation and commissioning.
Carney, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its sixth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of regional allies and partners as well as U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/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.
For more news and information from commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.c6f.navy.mil.