MEDITERRANEAN SEA –
he Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) participated in a multi-national PASSEX with Italian, Turkish and French navies in the Mediterranean Sea March 7, 2020.
Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55), FREMM multipurpose frigate ITS Alpino (F 580), and the Ada-class ASW corvette TCG Heybeliada (F 511) participated in formation steaming and a surface gunnery exercise.
"Exercises like this enhance our professional relationships and improves overall coordination with allies and partner militaries during times of crisis," said Capt. William Shafley, commander, Destroyer Squadron 26. "This unique opportunity flexed our ability to be postured with our international partners to be ready with credible force to assure, deter and defend our interests in an increasingly complex security environment."
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is conducting operations in U.S. 6th Fleet to support maritime security operations in international waters alongside our allies and partners.
The ships and aircraft of the Eisenhower strike group, commanded by Rear Adm. Paul J. Schlise and the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 staff, include flagship USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), commanded by Capt. Kyle Higgins; the eight squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, commanded by Capt. Trevor Estes, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, commanded by Capt. William Shafley.