OPERATION GABINIA: ITS RIZZO TRAINS WITH USS HERSHEL WOODY WILLIAMS BEFORE SAILING TO GULF OF GUINEA NEXT JUNE
The Italian Navy, despite the global pandemic emergency, continues to ensure the presence and surveillance to protect the safety of navigation on the high seas and the fight against illegal trafficking.
In this context, on Thursday 11 March, ITS Rizzo carried out training activities with the USS Hershel "Woody" Williams, aimed at supporting interoperability between the Italian Navy and the US Navy. The training allowed the crews to increase operational readiness and flexibility of use, in full compliance with the anti-Covid protocol.
The main activity carried out was a boarding exercise. The American unit simulated being a suspected merchant of illicit trafficking and, after the initial interrogation conducted via radio and a series of close kinematic maneuvers, the Rizzo ship sent its Boarding Team to carry out an inspection.
The insertion was conducted through two fast boats and two SH-90 helicopters, one of which was protected from above thanks to the support of amphibious sharpshooters.
The high level of interoperability between the Italian and US Navy, achieved and maintained with regular joint exercises, and the remarkable multi-role capacity of the FREMM frigates were therefore confirmed which, thanks to the professionalism of the crews and the high technology, continue to project a brilliant image of Italy.
At the end of the exercise, as part of Operation GABINIA, ITS Rizzo continued sailing towards the Gulf of Guinea, where it will be engaged in combating the phenomenon of piracy until next June.
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HENRY CHIDOZIE
Maritime / Crime Analyst
PFSO, CSO (UK Maritime & Coast Guide Certified)
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