Bay of Bengal (NNS) -- The forward-deployed Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) concluded the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016 in India with a passing exercise (PASSEX) that involved multiple international navies in formation.
Both ships arrived in India on Feb. 4 to participate in IFR 2016, which was an international military exercise hosted by the Indian Navy to help enhance mutual trust and confidence with navies from around the world. During the five-day exercise, more than 50 countries participated in the event.
"IFR 2016 was a great opportunity to strengthen our partnership with Indian Navy and other navies from around the world on professional and personal levels," said Cmdr. Ed Sundberg, McCampbell's commanding officer. "An event where more than 50 navies gather together is a rare sight, and through IFR 2016, our sailors made new friends and learned about how other navies operate."
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson was also present at IFR 2016 to help deepen maritime partnerships between India and the United States. During IFR 2016, the officers and sailors of McCampbell had a unique chance to meet and talk to the CNO, who made a brief visit to the ship.
IFR 2016 provided an opportunity for the crews of both Antietam and McCampbell to enjoy a port visit to India, where they met sailors from all around the world.
Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Chancer Warner, from Norman, Oklahoma, said, "IFR 2016 was a unique experience. I will never forget my time spent in India because I not only learned about Indian culture, but variety of cultures from sailors around the world."
Antietam and McCampbell are forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and are on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operation in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
Both ships arrived in India on Feb. 4 to participate in IFR 2016, which was an international military exercise hosted by the Indian Navy to help enhance mutual trust and confidence with navies from around the world. During the five-day exercise, more than 50 countries participated in the event.
"IFR 2016 was a great opportunity to strengthen our partnership with Indian Navy and other navies from around the world on professional and personal levels," said Cmdr. Ed Sundberg, McCampbell's commanding officer. "An event where more than 50 navies gather together is a rare sight, and through IFR 2016, our sailors made new friends and learned about how other navies operate."
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson was also present at IFR 2016 to help deepen maritime partnerships between India and the United States. During IFR 2016, the officers and sailors of McCampbell had a unique chance to meet and talk to the CNO, who made a brief visit to the ship.
IFR 2016 provided an opportunity for the crews of both Antietam and McCampbell to enjoy a port visit to India, where they met sailors from all around the world.
Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Chancer Warner, from Norman, Oklahoma, said, "IFR 2016 was a unique experience. I will never forget my time spent in India because I not only learned about Indian culture, but variety of cultures from sailors around the world."
Antietam and McCampbell are forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and are on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operation in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.