Military

MEDSHARK / Majestic Eagle

USS Enterprise (CVN 65) teamed up again with allied forces from France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom for MEDSHARK/ Majestic Eagle '04 (MS/ME04) 11 July 2004 off the coast of Morocco as part of the carrier's Summer Pulse '04 deployment. Hosted by Morocco, MS/ME04 seeks to develop interoperability and build military relationships between the ten allied nations involved.

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) (HST) and the other ships in its strike group wrapped up a first-of-its-kind multinational exercise known as Majestic Eagle 15 July 2004. The exercise, designed to enhance interoperability between allied maritime forces, was conducted off the coast of Morocco as part of Summer Pulse 2004.

The exercise was massive. Majestic Eagle brought 20,000 men and women from allied nations together with 30 ships, including four aircraft carriers from three different countries, and more than 350 aircraft. Morocco, recently designated a major non-NATO ally by President George W. Bush, allowed use of its Cap Draa bombing range for live firing exercises. The exercise was designed to stress NATO tactics, techniques and procedures, and allow for seamless integration of allied forces.

Under NATO command, the exercise included ships and aircraft from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Portugal and Morocco. Commander, Striking Forces NATO Vice Adm. H.G. Ulrich visited Truman during the exercise, and had high praise for the entire strike group and the unique role these six ships played.

The entire group was crucial to the success of the exercise. HST strike group comprises Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group (CCDG) 2 and Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staffs, guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Barry (DDG 52), and attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706). The cruisers, destroyers and submarines carried out multiple roles and missions, including exercising command and control and strike warfare, against air, surface and undersea threats.