On 4 March a delegation of US personnel led by Brigadier General JK Jarrard, and accompanied by the commander of Task Force 61.2 framed in the Sixth Fleet of the United States, an operational unit that coordinates the activities of the US naval and amphibious forces in Europe and manages possible cooperation/integration activities with the forces of the Allied countries, went to the naval base of La Spezia.
After the visit to the command of the Mine Countermeasure Forces the delegation, accompanied by a representation of the 8th department of the general staff, Comforanf and Comforaer, was hosted on board Nave Montecuccoli by the ship captain Giuseppe Ruta, csm of the first naval division, and by the frigate captain Alessandro Troia, commander of the third Offshore multi-purpose patrol vessel (PPA) of the Navy.
During the visit, the capabilities and characteristics of the PPA type units were illustrated, which meet the versatility requirements and embrace the "dual" use concept which inspires the majority of new generation platforms. These naval units, in addition to being an operational defense tool, they are capable of producing electricity and drinking water in quantities sufficient to support a small town (about 6.000 inhabitants) hit by disasters; more in detail, they are characterized by large spaces dedicated to the embarkation of equipped materials and containers, which expand its hospital capacity, transport of humanitarian aid and loading of specific systems for anti-pollution operations.
General Jarrard greatly appreciated the concept of flexibility of this platform which, thanks to its dimensions and construction characteristics, allow it to assume different configurations of use through modular setups adapted to the assigned mission profile. He also showed great interest in the cockpit arrangements, another distinctive feature of the PPA.
During the afternoon the delegation moved to the new shipbuilding equipment center of La Spezia in Fincantieri's Muggiano plant to carry out an informative visit on board the multi-role amphibious assault unit Trieste, soon to be delivered to the Navy.
The commander of the centre, vessel captain Fabrizio Orengo, together with the designated commander of the naval unit, vessel captain Francesco Fagnani, welcomed the delegation.
The visit covered the main arrangements and technical solutions within the amphibious capacity of the ship, with particular reference to the logistical capabilities and characteristics of the floodable basin, all with a view to a possible future cooperation and interoperability activity with US assets Marine Corps (USMC) and the LCM/LCU (Landing Craft Mechanized - Landing Craft Utility) and LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cuschion) amphibious vehicles.
Ship Trieste continues with its path of sea tests preparatory to the Final Official Acceptance at the end of which, once delivered to the Navy, it will be able to respond promptly to crisis situations, guaranteeing the Armed Force and the Nation a significant force projection capacity and a marked flexibility of use, representing a reference for the main foreign navies.
