NAPLES, Italy –
The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) arrived in Naples, Italy, for a routine logistics visit, April 20, 2021.
This port visit marks the second stop while conducting operations in U.S. Sixth Fleet, after a two-week transit across the Atlantic Ocean.
“The Hamilton’s presence in Sixth Fleet affirms our commitment to leverage the capabilities of the Naval Service to integrate all-domain naval power,” said Vice Adm. Gene Black, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet. “The Coast Guard’s mission reinforces and strengthens the maritime security capabilities for many nations in Europe and Africa. Our operations with Hamilton continue employment of the Maritime Tri-Service Strategy to enable all mission sets from the littoral to the open ocean. I am proud to have Hamilton assigned to Sixth Fleet."
The Hamilton port visit in Naples follows previous Coast guard cutter deployments from 2019 and 2020 that operated in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations while also supporting U.S. Africa Command during operations and exercises like Africa Partnership Station.
“Hamilton’s visit to Naples reinforces the strong relationship between America and Italy,” said Capt. Timothy Cronin, USCGC Hamilton commanding officer. “We have shared maritime interests and thus we must work together to keep our oceans and waterways safe and secure.”
During their stop in Naples, Hamilton engaged with U.S. Naval Sixth Fleet leadership, Italian Coast Guard leadership, local Italian dignitaries, and Consul General Mary Avery, U.S. Consulate Naples.
Consul General Avery spoke to Hamilton leadership and met with the 150 person crew.
"The United States greatly appreciates the warm welcome provided by the city of Naples to the USCGC Hamilton and for the extraordinary hospitality that Naples and Campania offer to our Consulate General and the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet, an important European command to advance, together with allies, security and stability in Europe and Africa,” said Avery.
Avery also said that the unity and effort created with our alliances and partnership provides a key strategic advantage in long-term strategic competition.
“During these challenging times, the United States stands by our friends and allies now more than ever," said Avery.
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in U.S. Sixth Fleet, working alongside Allies, building maritime domain awareness and sharing best practices with partner nation Navies and Coast Guards.
Hamilton is the fourth national security cutter and is the fifth named for the father of the U.S. Coast Guard – Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and advocate for the creation of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service.
The U.S. Coast Guard remains operational during COVID-19, following all COVID-19 safety precautions and regulations.
U.S. Sixth 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.