NAPLES, Italy - As the flagship of the Maritime Task Force, Italian aircraft carrier Garibaldi carries the multinational staff of NATO’s commander-at-sea for Operation Unified Protector, as well as acting as a platform to launch AV-8B Harrier II planes flying in defenSe of the civilian population of Libya.
On June 15, the ship also hosted a media day to allow members of the world’s media to get a close look at the workings of the maritime embargo in the Maritime Surveillance Area. Warmly greeted by Rear Adm. Foffi and his staff as they stepped out into the downdraft of the SH3D helicopters which had flown them aboard Garibaldi, the members of the media were given background briefings on the Garibaldi and a tour of the key operational areas of the ship against a noisy background of Harriers blasting off the flight deck.
Normally, NATO ships are widely deployed carrying out embargo operations, their haze grey color making them barely visible, even though fully linked into the Task Group with modern and sophisticated communications and surveillance equipment.
However, for this occasion and the benefit of the visiting photographers, some of the ships moved in close to show their capabilities to hail and board. Further demonstrations included simulations of pilot recovery by the onboard personnel recovery team of the Italian San Marco Regiment and a spectacular vertical landing by a Harrier which had simulated close air-support to the recovery.
The media day coincided with a visit to the flagship by Operation Unified Protector Commander Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard, accompanied by the Maritime Component Commander Vice Adm. Rinaldo Veri, who also followed all the demonstrations with very close attention.
| Date Taken: |
06.15.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
06.18.2011 04:57 |
| Story ID: |
72314 |
| Location: |
NAPLES, IT |
| Web Views: |
156 |
| Downloads: |
1 |
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