U.S. and Italian navy vessels visit Guam, other islands in western Pacific

Ships from multiple navies were in the Pacific this past month, strengthening international cooperation in the region and fostering interoperability between U.S. and Italian navies.

The Italian carrier ITS Cavour and the frigate ITS Alpino just departed Guam after arriving at U.S. Naval Base Guam on Aug. 11. The ships are part of a strike group commanded by Rear Adm. Giancarlo Ciappina.

The Cavour and the Alpino stopped in Guam recently after participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2024, a multinational air exercise held in Australia; the largest held in the exercise’s 43-year history according to a release from the Royal Australian Air Force.

The strike group also joined the USN Carrier Strike Group-3 in a campaign fostering interoperability between the navies, according to an Aug. 9 release by the Marina Militare.

The ITS Cavour is a short take off and vertical landing aircraft carrier put into service in 2009. It is the flagship of the Italian Navy and has played a vital role in global security operations and humanitarian missions.

The ITS Alpino is a multipurpose frigate put into service in 2016. It is the fifth unit of the Italian-French European Multi Mission Frigate program with armaments and equipment suitable for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and interdiction of illegal activity, and humanitarian assistance.

The Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship the USS Blue Ridge made a scheduled port visit to Koror, Palau on Aug. 10.

While in port, the personnel from the ship met with members of the 356^th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Group, Civic Action Team Palau and toured Camp Katuu as well as discussed the capabilities of CAT in Palau.

Additionally, the US 7^th Fleet Band’s “Orient Express” and “Shiokaze Woodwind” ensembles performed at various locations on the island.

Prior to this, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the USS Spruance made its own port call in Saipan on Aug. 5.

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang welcomed Cmdr. Thomas Adams that Monday.

While in port, the crew took the opportunity to engage with the local community and leadership to strengthen the relationship between the US and the NMI according to an Aug. 5 press release by the Office of the Governor of the NMI.

The US 7^th Fleet is the largest forward deployed fleet in the Navy. mbj