The guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) departed Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 21 to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior off the coast of Scotland.
Besides The Sullivans, other U.S. Navy units participating in the exercise include the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71), the fleet replenishment oiler USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), and U.S. maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft from Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 11.
Also participating are maritime, land and air units from nine countries including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Exercise Joint Warrior, course-designed and led by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS) in the United Kingdom, is intended to improve interoperability between allied and partner navies and prepares participants for a role in a joint maritime environment during deployments.
As one of the largest concentrations of allied and partner forces in one integrated training event, Joint Warrior addresses the full spectrum of maritime and joint warfare mission areas.
The Sullivans is named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers, who were killed when the ship they were assigned to, USS Juneau (CL-52), was sunk on November 13, 1942 and is homeported in Mayport, Florida.
Image: US Navy