• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Italian Submarine Scire Visits Groton

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090828-23
Release Date: 8/28/2009 3:17:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Myers, Commander Submarine Group Two Public Affairs Assistant

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- As Italian Submarine (ITS) Scire arrived for a port visit to Naval Submarine Base New London Aug. 27, it marked the second submarine visit from that country to the United States in as many years.

With this port call to refuel and an opportunity for the crew to interact with their host squadron Submarine Development Squadron 12, and host submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769), both navies continue to improve interoperability.

"It is great for an Italian submarine to arrive in your submarine capital," said Lt. Cmdr. Alberto Tarabotto, Scire's commanding officer. "We are proud to be submariners visiting your base."

Scire is preparing to participate in a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) with the Harry S. Truman Strike Group. JTFEX is designed to test and evaluate the U.S. Navy's reaction to multiple wartime scenarios from small craft attacks to land-based missile attacks, and it is the final certification for a strike group preparing to deploy.

"Our maritime strategy emphasizes the need for increased global cooperation to promote global peace and prosperity," said Rear Adm. Paul Bushong, Commander Submarine Group 2. "In line with this strategy, we continue to work with key partner nations like Italy to enhance global maritime security."

These important partnerships not only provide the U.S. Navy with unique training opportunities against the real-world threat found in the modern, quiet, diesel-electric submarine, it also demonstrates the continued commitment by the U.S. and Italian navies in building strong, working relationships.

"For us," said Tarbotto, "it is an opportunity to compare our capacity with that of the United States, as well as experience a different operating environment from the one in the Mediterranean."

The relationship was renewed when Italian submarine Todaro conducted the first port visits by an Italian boat since World War Two last year in Mayport, Fla.; Norfolk, Va.; and Groton.

ITS Scire is the second of the Todaro-class submarines and was commissioned in February 2007. The hybrid submarine carries a crew of 27 and is armed with six torpedo tubes.

For more news from Commander Submarine Group 2, visit www.navy.mil/local/Subgru2/.