Yesterday, February 13, 2021, the aircraft carrier Cavour of the Italian Navy moored in the naval base of the second fleet of the US Navy of Norfolk, Virginia. The Italian ambassador to the United States Armando Varricchio welcomed the flagship of the naval team of the Navy engaged in the “Ready for Operations” (RFO) campaign.
The ambassador, in his salute to the crew and commander of the aircraft carrier Cavour, ship captain Giancarlo Ciappina, recalled how this year falls “The 160th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between Italy and the United States. Our countries are allies and friends, whose relationship is the son of that seafaring tradition that prompted a Genoese navigator to tackle waves and currents then unknown ". The ambassador then emphasized as a ship Cavour is "An exemplary sample of our Italy and the best example of a virtuous collaboration in the field of safety and industry".
The Italian aircraft carrier landed on the Atlantic coast of the United States at the end of a demanding seventeen-day voyage, ten of which of ocean crossing, after having left the Mar Grande Naval Station in Taranto on 28 January. The RFO campaign will have the important aim of achieving certification for the operational use of the brand new aircraft of the program Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F35-B. "Supporting the Italian allies in the certification of their aircraft carrier increases our common experience in safety and combat skills", said the commander of the second fleet of the US Navy, Admiral Andrew Lewis.
When the F35-B will begin regular operational activity, Italy will become part of an elite of a few countries in the world capable of expressing an aircraft carrier capability with 5th generation combat aircraft, becoming the only one country of the European Union to boast this ability.
“A strategic enterprise for the country and the Navy - announced the chief of staff of the Navy, team admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone - which must be accompanied by the more specific amalgamation with the entire maritime force ".
The ambassador then wanted to highlight how: “Today the relationship between the United States and Italy looks decisively to the future and to the challenges we face together, starting with that of security. Italy, also in its capacity as Presidency-in-Office of the G20 and in close connection with the United States, is at the forefront to promote the fight against the pandemic, to promote economic recovery and to achieve sustainable development ".
Precisely on the subject of safety, the aircraft carrier during navigation Cavour had the opportunity to carry out training activities in cooperation with US Navy air and naval assets, in particular with the destroyer Stout, Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft. Among the activities carried out, the defense exercises of the naval force from air threat, communications and naval training maneuvers.
