The U.S. Navy’s Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and the Italian Navy’s Cavour Carrier Strike Group have successfully completed their first joint exercise in the Indo-Pacific region. This event, known as the Multi-Large Deck Event (MLDE), brought together more than 7,500 sailors and marines from both nations to enhance cooperation and combat readiness.
The MLDE allowed both navies to work closely on various operations, including maritime communication, air warfare, and cross-deck flight operations. These joint activities aim to strengthen the ability of the two forces to operate together effectively at sea.
During the exercise, Admiral Cruz, commander of the U.S. Carrier Strike Group 3, hosted Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina, commander of the Italian Cavour Carrier Strike Group, aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. This visit was focused on building better interoperability between the two naval forces.
The event featured several ships and aircraft, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour, and the Italian frigate ITS Alpino. The aircraft involved included various models like the F-35 Lightning II and Super Hornets, which were used in joint flight operations.
Before the exercise began, both commanders conducted a virtual meeting to ensure everything was ready. The event kicked off with liaison officers being exchanged between the strike groups to facilitate communication and coordination.
The U.S. Navy’s ongoing presence in the Indo-Pacific region, including exercises like this, underscores the importance of maintaining security, stability, and freedom of navigation in the area. Working closely with allies like Italy is a key part of these efforts.