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NATO Air Policing With U.S. Navy Carrier Air Patrols
by U.S.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Alston
March 9, 2022
Naval aviators assigned to Carrier Air Wing
(CVW) 1’s strike fighter squadrons (VFA) 11, 211, 81, 34 and
electronic attack squadron (VAQ) 137 conducted airborne patrols
through a series of missions spanning enhanced vigilance, training
and NATO enhanced Air Policing (eAP) in direct support of Alliance
security.
The U.S. Navy aircraft from the Harry S. Truman
Carrier Strike Group, flying alongside NATO allied air forces,
ensured the integrity of Allied airspace improving the alliance
aerial readiness and responsiveness.
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January 5, 2022 - Two F/A-18E Super Hornets, attached to the “Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 and the “Fighting Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, fly in formation with two Hellenic Air Force F/A-16s over the Mediterranean Sea. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security, and defend U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S.
Navy photo courtesy of Strike Fighter Squadron 211)
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In addition to Air Policing, the Squadrons
flew a series of training missions with the Romanian Air Force
fostering relationships and building aerial interoperability between
the two nations.
"Training missions flown from forward bases
in Romania during a week-long detachment paved the way for follow-on
eAP missions flown from the Adriatic Sea illustrates how the Airwing
and Truman team are working together with our NATO allies to defend
territorial integrity," said Capt. Patrick Hourigan, commander, CVW
1. "Our ability to augment the Air Policing detachments and the
multinational execution of airborne patrols sends a strong
reassuring signal to the collective defense of our Allies."
The Truman's aviators were supported by key organizations including
U.S. Air Force 52nd and 31st fighter wings.
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February 7, 2022 - A French Navy Rafale F3R flies over the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security, and defend U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tate Cardinal)
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"I think it's great to be a part of the air
patrol missions,” said Lt. Cmdr. Richard Watkins, a VFA-11 pilot.
“It’s a good mission. We have a unique ability to operate from an
aircraft carrier and by working with our NATO Allies we really get
to showcase our cohesive unified force."
Since arriving in
the Mediterranean, CVW-1 integrated with the Romanian detachment
from the Borcea Fetesti Airfield Feburary 8-15. Truman’s squadrons
of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18 Growlers as well as a maintenance
crew augmented the collective Alliance defense capability. In a
similar effort, Truman’s aviators flew with the U.S. and Italian Air
Forces to conduct training missions under the Italian Tactical
Command and Control.
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February 6, 2022 - Two F/A-18E Super Hornets, attached to the “Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 and the “Fighting Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, and four Italian Navy AV-8B Harrier IIs fly over the Mediterranean Sea, Feb. 6, 2022. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security, and defend U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S.
Navy photo courtesy of Electronic Attack Squadron 137)
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“Since arriving in the Sixth Fleet area of
operations a key aspect of our mission has been to build integration
and interoperability with our NATO Allies and Partners,” said Rear
Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight. “NATO is a
defensive Alliance and participating in the enhanced air policing
missions visibly demonstrates our commitment to that goal.”
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled
deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of
U.S. national interests, security, and stability in Europe and
Africa.
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