NORFOLK, Va. — The USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed Naval Station Norfolk on Wednesday, heading to NATO's largest exercise in decades, according to the U.S. 2nd Fleet.
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will participate in the Exercise Steadfast Defender, which will include nearly 90,000 forces from 31 Allies and Sweden.
“This crew’s preparations and their journey across the Atlantic represent the starting point of this historic NATO exercise,” said Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. David J. Patchell, vice commander of the U.S. 2nd Fleet.
The Steadfast Defender intends to show NATO's ability to deploy from North America to assist in defending Europe. Further, Navy officials said NATO will demonstrate it can conduct complex multi-domain operations far away and for a sustained period.
“The departure and transit signify the first tactical movements of the exercise and demonstrate the strength of the trans-Atlantic link,” said Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander of Joint Force Command Norfolk and U.S. 2nd Fleet.
Gunston Hall's two large helicopter landing pads and largest well deck in the fleet and troop berthing facilities allow the ship to embark on various military forces.
"Gunston Hall will represent the U.S. Navy and is an essential element of the multinational NATO amphibious force,” Patchell said in part.
"These efforts clearly demonstrate North America’s commitment to NATO," said Perry.
The Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 comes as NATO marks its 75th anniversary.
