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Bataan Visits ITS Garibaldi, Strengthens Coalition Ties

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110513-10
5/13/2011

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Erin Lea Boyce

MEDITERRANEAN SEA, USS Bataan (NNS) -- Leadership from the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) embarked aboard the Italian carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (C 551) May 10 to allow the two coalition partners to strengthen ties through shared experiences, ideas and insight.

The embark provided the opportunity for Capt. Steven Yoder, commander of amphibious squadron (PHIBRON) 6; Capt. Steve Koehler, commanding officer of Bataan; and Col. Eric Steidl, commanding officer of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), to discuss current operations and experience the daily routine of their Italian counterparts through a series of briefs at various stations around the Italian ship.

"It is always useful for fellow mariners and allies to meet face-to-face instead of just over chat and e-mail," said Rear Adm. Filippo Maria Foffi, commander of Italian Front Line Naval Forces. "These meetings are an important part of coalition building and work to establish trust and understanding over cultural and linguistic divisions that exist between the different nations participating in this effort to deal with the Libyan crisis."

Garibaldi and Bataan are both operating in the Mediterranean Sea, with Bataan conducting maritime security operations and providing support as required for coalition forces assigned to Operation Unified Protector.

"It was an invaluable visit," said Koehler. "It allows us to gain a mutual understanding of our current operations and to forge relationships that will increase our navies' international interoperability. That's something we certainly want to build upon during our time in the Mediterranean. We look forward to returning the hospitality with a visit aboard Bataan."

Foffi greeted the Bataan leaders upon arrival and provided them with a tour of the Italian ship that highlighted the similarities and differences between Bataan and Garibaldi.

"America and Italy are different nations with different languages and many miles that separate them," said Foffi. "However, these cross-deck opportunities allow the Sailors from these two different worlds to discover that they are not really that different. We are all professionals who share a common world view, common traditions and have historical ties that connect us and run very deep; we only have to have a brief understanding of history to see how closely Italy and the United States are bound together."

Programs like cross-decking show how alike some coalition forces are with one other. This in turn opens up windows for a closer relationship in the future.

"There is no question that our relationship is stronger today than it was yesterday," said Foffi. "However, this meeting is just a first step. I want to continue these exchanges with Bataan, the 22nd MEU, and the other ships in her company."

Bataan is the command ship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready (ARG) group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.