ITS Cavour drills with USS Lincoln in the Middle East

The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) conducted a second round of drills with the Italian carrier ITS Cavour (C 550) on Friday, this time under U.S. Central Command.

On Friday, the USS Lincoln sailed alongside the Cavour, which is returning to Italy after a deployment in the Indo-Pacific. The two strike groups previously trained together near Guam in early August.

“We take pride in once again collaborating with the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group after nearly two months since our first interaction in the Pacific Ocean,” said Rear Adm. Giancarlo Ciappina, commander of the Cavour CSG, in a statement. “This has been another valuable opportunity to train together, share experiences, and exchange knowledge, underscoring the versatility and flexibility of navies operating globally, wherever a presence is needed to keep maritime lines of communication safe and open, strengthening our ties and enhancing cooperation with a focus on security.”

The statement noted that the drills allowed the CSGs to improve interoperability through integrated planning and coordination, effective communication, leadership exchanges across the decks, a fast-roping exercise, and an air defense drill.

“The chance to practice interoperability with our counterparts in the Cavour CSG for a second time during our deployment highlights our strategic advantage, which stems from our strong alliances,” said Rear Adm. Adan Cruz, commander of CSG 3, in the release. “We have seized every opportunity to fly and sail with our Italian counterparts to enhance our combined operational capabilities in international waters.”

Participants in the Lincoln CSG included the destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG-121), acting as the air defense commander, as well as the destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG-77) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-111). The Cavour CSG comprised the frigate ITS Alpino (F594) and the multipurpose combat ship ITS Raimondo Montecuccoli (P432).

The participating aircraft included MH-60S Knight Hawk and MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, E/A-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, F-35C Lightning II fighters, and E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, as well as F-35B Lightning II fighters and AV-8B Harrier II fighters from the Cavour CSG.

Activities conducted during the drills included a joint live-fire exercise involving the O’Kane and Raimondo Montecuccoli, a subject-matter exchange, a fast rope drill by the explosive ordnance disposal teams from both CSGs, and a complex air defense exercise involving tactical aircraft from both groups, according to the statement.