US Navy File Photo.By Ensign Peter Goodman, USS Klakring Public Affairs
LISBON, Portugal (NNS) -- USS Klakring (FFG 42) joins the task group of ships comprising Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 after departing Lisbon, Portugual Feb. 16. Klakring is conducting maritime interoperability operations with allied navies after a visit to Lisbon.
Commanded by her new commanding officer, Cmdr. Scott M. Smith, Klakring sailed across the Atlantic reporting to 6th Fleet as the newest U.S. warship assigned to Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. (CSNMG 1).
The force, a composition of NATO allied warships, fills an integral role in maintaining allied maritime situational awareness in the region. Along with Klakring, German warship FGS Emden (F 210) and Portuguese warship NRP Alvares Cabral (F 331) comprise the task group of ships assigned to CSNMG-1.
SNMG-1 provides the Maritime Component Command of the NATO Response Force a high readiness element able to support various NATO missions, exercises, presence operations, and diplomacy visits. In her role as an asset to SNMG-1, Klakring brings surface, submarine, maritime interdiction, and air warfare mission capabilities.
Klakring, Emden, and Alvares Cabral conducted a recent port visit to Lisbon, where the establishment of the current force was celebrated during a reception held aboard Emden honoring Rear Adm. Pereira de Cunha, Portuguese Navy, CSNMG-1. The event provided Klakring Sailors the opportunity to engage their counterparts from other ships.
In particular, the event afforded Smith the opportunity to both share experiences with foreign counterparts.
"All the COs know that the key to enhancing the coalition and achieving the common interests in the maritime domain is to increase both interoperability and greater understanding. It is the personal relationships that are forged during these events that will ultimately forge the strongest coalitions," remarked Smith.
The port visit provided Klakring's crew an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of Lisbon as well, a city which is famed for being the Gateway to Europe for ships traveling from the Americas.
For Chief Electrician's Mate (SW) Johnny Hill, the visit also provided the opportunity to see the beauty of the Portuguese countryside during a host nation sponsored trip to visit such historic landmarks as the Cathedral at Fatima and the Tomb of Henry the Navigator.
"I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the culture and experience places I had only heard about, commented Hill, "I definitely appreciate the work Portugal did in organizing the tour for us."
Klakring is on a scheduled six month deployment. She is assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14 and homeported in Mayport, Fla.