Alpine ship returned to Taranto after two months from the start

(To Marina Militare)
02/07/18

Welcomed by family members and friends of the crew, the European multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Alpino returned to Taranto, at the end of the campaign in the United States of America. The naval campaign, which began on 2 May with the departure from Taranto, brought theAlpine to visit the east coast of the United States of America, touching the ports of Norfolk, Baltimore, New York and Boston.

At its mooring inside the Mar Grande Naval Station, the ship was "assaulted" by the small crowd of family and friends, who gave the welcome to the crews of Nave Alpine and of the frigate Carabiniere, on his return from the operation Safe Sea. The commander in chief of the naval team, team admiral Donato Marzano, also greeted the return. In a quick and informal assembly, Admiral Marzano stressed the importance of the mission of theAlpine, in terms of naval diplomacy, of contribution to maritime safety and, above all, in terms of support to the country system.

The campaign that has just ended, in fact, was relevant both for having projected the image of the Navy, the Armed Forces and the country system in areas of unusual gravitation and for the support provided to the international competitiveness of the national industry. The presence of the frigate Alpine in the United States, it made it possible to show and make known the operational capabilities of the Unit to delegations made up of members of the US Congress and US Navy officers, as part of the information process for the definition by the US Navy of a new class of frigates , in an acquisition program called Future Frigate Program FFG (X).

The comparison and joint activities with friendly and allied Marines also allowed the crew to train and strengthen relations with allies, operating in an area of ​​unusual gravitation. The overseas presence was also an opportunity to meet the numerous Italian communities residing abroad, especially in the United States, and to promote the image of Italy and its excellence, through the organization of cultural events, in collaboration with the Italian diplomatic representations.

But Admiral Marzano, in his speech, wanted to focus on a fundamental enabling factor for naval operations: the support of the crews by families. The commander-in-chief thanked the family members for their presence on board and for the great moral support they provide to the soldiers on board, underlining how their work at home, where they are often forced to face small and large problems alone, is a power multiplier, which ensures the crews the serenity necessary to carry out their mission.