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U.S. 2nd Fleet Ships Return From Joint Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091119-16
Release Date: 11/19/2009 4:32:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) Darius Jackson, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Ships of Destroyer Squadron 24 (DESRON 24) returned home following participation in exercise Joint Warrior 09-2, Nov. 19.

The guided-missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), homeported in Mayport, Fla., the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67), homeported in Norfolk, Va., and the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203), also homeported in Norfolk, Va., participated with ships from five other nations in Joint Warrior 09-2, a multi-warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies.

The John L. Hall departed Naval Station Mayport Sept. 22, the Ramage and the Cole departed Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 23, to take part in the exercise Oct. 5–16, off the coast of Scotland.

Led by the United Kingdom's Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS), the annual exercise incorporates both conventional warfare exercises and Fleet Irregular Warfare Training.

Joint Warrior provided participating ships with a variety of training scenarios that explored real-world challenges on a strategic, operational, and tactical level, in a controlled environment. The exercise focused heavily on a broad spectrum of non-traditional warfare areas such as counterpiracy and maritime security operations, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and air defense.

"It was one of the most intense and realistic trainings I have experienced," said Cmdr. Pete Galluch, commanding officer of Ramage.

The ships of DESRON 24 operated alongside the Royal Navy's HMS Illustrious (R 06), HMS Northumberland (F 238), HMS Portland (F 79), HMS Bangor (M 109), HMS Penzance (M 106), and HMS Shoreham (M 112); the Canadian Forces' ships HMCS Halifax (FFH 330), HMCS Montreal (FFH 336), HMCS Athabaskan (DDH 282), and HMCS Preserver (AOR 510); the Royal Danish Navy's HDMS Absalon (L 16); the Brazilian Navy's BNS Defensora (F 41); and the Turkish Navy's TCG Orucreis (F 245).

Nations participating in Joint Warrior included Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Turkey, The United Kingdom and the United States.

Joint Warrior served as a deployment certification event for U.S. ships preparing for upcoming deployments. The exercise promoted Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.