USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Hosts North Atlantic Council Day at Sea

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Rafael Figueroa-Medina | Several ships from different nations sail along side the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier...... read more read more

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Rafael Figueroa-Medina | Several ships from different nations sail along side the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a pass and review exercise during a visit by nearly 100 dignitaries from the North Atlantic Council. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility after a regularly-scheduled five month deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Maritime Security Operations.  see less | View Image Page

ABOARD USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, AT SEA

07.14.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Navy           

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USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea - Nearly 100 senior military leaders, officials of the North Atlantic Council and Military Committee participated in the NAC at Sea Day aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, July 14.

This event, held annually, demonstrates the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's maritime capabilities to the assembled leadership.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to bring all the senior leadership of the North Atlantic Council — NATO's governing body — out to visit USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and observe exactly how we do our mission," said Rear Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander, Carrier Strike Group 8.

The embarked guests included the NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Ambassadors and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe Admiral James Stavridis. SACEUR serves a dual role as the leader of all NATO military operations and Commanding Officer of U.S. European Command including the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet.

"The U.S. Navy is really part of a global coalition of navies carrying out important missions all over the world from anti-piracy, counter-narcotics, deterrents, and strikes to exercises and training. All of those missions are really part of a global effort and the U.S. Navy fits terrifically in that," said Stavridis.

The embarked guests enjoyed an information brief, static displays and a pass and review from five ships from various navies. The distinguished group then moved to the flight deck via an aircraft elevator to observe an air power demonstration.

It was noted with interest that Stavridis, the first Admiral to assume the position of SACEUR, visited the aircraft carrier whose namesake was appointed the very first Supreme Allied Commander Europe in December 1950.

"When I heard that, literally, the first operational thing I would do as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe would be to come to the decks of the ship named after the first SACEUR, I felt surprised and humbled," explained Stavridis. "Standing here aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower makes me very proud of our U.S. Navy's contribution to this larger, global effort, of which NATO is an extraordinary part."

This visit by the SACEUR and members of the NAC helps build relationships among members of the NATO Alliance nations and in turn promotes stability, crisis management and strategies for effective defense.

"Our maritime strategy is all about building partnerships with other maritime forces all around the world to provide security and stability in international waters," said Tidd. "We have decades of experience working with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners at sea, and we've had an opportunity to develop all of the procedures that we use today and that we share now with partners all around the world."

The Secretary General of NATO explained the important role the carrier strike group plays in NATO's overall sea component mission.

"Carrier strike groups are in a position to do everything from projecting power to providing humanitarian assistance wherever it is necessary in the world," said de Hoop Scheffer.

According to Stavridis, the entire Eisenhower Strike Group has helped promote the NATO mission during its 2009 deployment.

"The men and women of USS Eisenhower have been contributing wonderfully these last six months," added Stavridis. "The eyes of the Navy are on the men and women of Eisenhower and we thank every single one of them for their extraordinary service. They've done a terrific job on this cruise, from everything to working with NATO to operational missions over Afghanistan — the performance of the entire Eisenhower Strike Group has been superb."

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility after a regularly-scheduled five month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Maritime Security Operations.