Klakring Teams with French Navy in FANAL 09

US Navy Photo

By Ensign Peter Goodman, USS Klakring Public Affairs

USS KLAKRING, At Sea (NNS) -- While assigned to Commander, Standing Maritime NATO Group (SNMG) 1, USS Klakring (FFG 42) helped prepare the Charles de Gaulle Strike Group (CDGSG) Feb. 24 for her upcoming deployment.

SNMG-1 ships consisting of FGS Emden, NRP Alvares Cabral, and Klakring served as the opposing force while participating in the FANAL 09 exercise.

The CDGSG, comprised of two destroyers, the oiler, FS Meuse, and anchored by the French nuclear aircraft carrier, FS Charles de Gaulle, are in the midst of completing a final multi-warfare training exercise before a scheduled deployment.

The exercise provided Klakring the unique opportunities to conduct maritime interoperability operations with not only other allied navies, but to do so while gaining tactical warfighting experience in a more complex and dynamic maritime environment than she does so regularly.

"As OPFOR, we had the unique opportunity to develop our own strategies to best conduct harassment training scenarios as part of our simulated attacks against the CDGSG," remarked Lt. Michael Beaty, Klakring Combat System's officer. "The exercise has certainly helped strengthen Klakring's own tactical warfighting capabilities."

The performance of the SNMG-1 assets directly helped to sharpen the coordination, communication, and warfare employment skills of the strike group warships and battle staffs.

Klakring's participation in FANAL 09 helps execute the United States' Maritime Strategy as well by both strengthening relations with allied navies and enhancing Allied ability to maintain maritime superiority. "Our ability to work as a team against a superior force and achieve commendable results demonstrates the seamless interoperability that we share with our NATO allies – a vital component in providing global maritime security and preventing conflict. It is exercises like these that strengthen regional maritime partnerships."

Klakring is on a scheduled six month deployment. She is assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14 and homeported in Mayport, Fla.