Adriatic Exercise Builds Cooperation, Teamwork

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	Official U.S. Navy file photo of the guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68).
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Adriatic Exercise Builds Cooperation, Teamwork
Story Number: NNS041006-02
Release Date: 10/6/2004 8:57:00 AM

From U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

GAETA, Italy (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) are participating in a multilateral naval exercise in the Adriatic Sea with forces from Albania, Croatia and Macedonia Oct. 3-15.

Named Adriatic PHIBLEX [Amphibious Landing Exercise], the exercise will include amphibious landings in Croatia, maritime interception operations, basic seamanship and coastal maneuvering, surface gunnery exercises, helicopter operations, and search and rescue scenarios.

Cmdr. Richard Brown, commanding officer for The Sullivans, highlighted the importance of the interactions.

"These exercises are a superb venue for the crews of the different navies to operate together in complex operations at sea," said Brown. "The exercises also provide the opportunity for the U.S. Navy to work with these countries, and promote theater security cooperation through pursuit of shared diplomatic goals and military readiness."

The exercise is one of the first occasions for participating Adriatic nations to operate together in preparation for their combined bid for NATO membership.

"We have a comprehensive and diverse training agenda that should provide the four countries with a host of opportunities to operate together and develop productive relationships," Lt. Cmdr. Wyatt Chidester, executive officer of The Sullivans, added.

Nearly 350 Sailors assigned to The Sullivans will participate in Adriatic PHIBLEX.

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c6f.

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