The USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) made a brief stop for fuel and supplies in Rota April 19 and met with leadership from Commodore of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 65.
CTF 65 commodore, Capt. Joseph A. Gagliano, CTF 65 deputy commodore, Capt. Kyle Gantt, and CTF 65 command senior chief, Senior Chief Michael W. Maclin greeted Roosevelt for the first time as a forward deployed naval forces – Europe (FDNF-E) Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer.
CTF 65’s leadership met with Roosevelt’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Matthew Molmer, executive officer Cmdr. John Mastriani, and Command Master Chief James Kuroski on the pier. They discussed the health of the crew, at sea operations, and the long term strategy for managing COVID-19.
Upon completion of the meet and greet, Gagliano addressed the crew and congratulated them on their successful transition to Rota. He also spoke to the crew on the mitigations U.S. 6th Fleet is taking in response to COVID-19.
“"Since the beginning of the pandemic, our number one priority has been the health of our Sailors,” said Gagliano. “It was important for me to come here today to let them know that we are doing everything possible to keep you safe."
The ship got back underway April 20 to conduct maritime security patrols in the region.
"After more than a year of preparation, it is great to have Roosevelt join the Destroyer Squadron 60 team,” said Gagliano. “There is no stronger message across this theater than to see Roosevelt proceed immediately on operational tasking. Roosevelt is deployment ready and on mission today."
USS Roosevelt arrived in the U.S. 6th Fleet, April 14, following her departure from her previous homeport Mayport, Florida March 21. The ship and crew took all necessary COVID-19 precautions prior to her departure from the United States.
USS Roosevelt is scheduled to replace USS Carney (DDG 64) as one of the forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Operations.
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.