USS Arlington (LPD 24) arrives in Visby, Sweden > United States Navy > News-Stories
Arlington’s continued presence in Sweden demonstrates the strong and lasting relationships that ARG-MEU fosters with NATO allies and partners in the Baltic Sea region.
Earlier this year, elements of the Kearsarge ARG, including the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship and ARG flagship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), participated in the joint annual multinational exercise Baltic Operations 2022 (BALTOPS22 ) which is organized by Sweden. The ARG-MEU team had the opportunity to demonstrate maritime capabilities alongside sixteen other nations at sea and demonstrate US-Swedish combined amphibious capabilities for the first time together on Gotland.
Last week, the Kearsarge ARG-MEU, including Arlington, participated in a bilateral training opportunity with the Swedish Armed Forces where maritime and amphibious operations were conducted to maintain the unit’s readiness as a cohesive partner force. During this training opportunity, the ARG-MEU team and Swedish forces conducted combined training events such as ship-to-shore operations, a raid in Ravlunda and a land-based airfield seizure. At sea, ARG ships conducted subject matter expert exchanges and maneuver exercises that increased overall effectiveness and interoperability.
“Earlier this summer, elements of the Kearsarge ARG-MEU participated in BALTOPS22 and most recently a bilateral training event with Sweden,” said Capt. Aaron Kelley, commander of Kearsarge ARG and Amphibious Squadron SIX. “Sweden has demonstrated high levels of maritime and amphibious capabilities as we have worked together towards our shared commitment to a safe and secure Baltic Sea region.”
Coinciding with the exercise and unique to BALTOPS22 was Sweden’s celebration of their navy’s 500th anniversary where Kearsarge and Gunston Hall celebrated the kick-off of BALTOPS22 in Stockholm, Sweden. While in port, Kearsarge hosted a key leadership engagement aboard the ship including Swedish leadership such as US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden, Erik Ramanathan; Sweden’s Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist; and Swedish Armed Forces General Micael Byden in addition to the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley.
“Since Stockholm previously hosted all three ARG ships this year, Visby is the first in its area to have a ship of Arlington’s size,” says Captain Kelley. “The biggest outcome of working with Sweden this summer has been the continued support and hospitality the country has extended to the ARG-MEU team during our time in the Baltics. These port visits and interoperability alone emphasize our combined capabilities as a cohesive collaborative force.”
Most recently, the Kearsarge ARG-MEU team participated in a maneuver exercise as part of the US-Swedish bilateral training event that included the Swedish Visby-class corvette HSwMS Härnösand (K33), the Swedish Visby-class corvette HSwMS Nyköping (K34), the Swedish auxiliary HSwMS Carlskrona of the Carlskrona class (P04 the Swedish corvette HSwMS Malmö of the Stockholm class (P 12),
The Swedish Visby-class corvette HSwMS Karlstad (K35), and the Swedish Visby-class corvette HSwMS Helsingborg (K32).
“Kearsarge ARG-MEU has just completed a 10-day complex integrated exercise with our Swedish partners on land, sea and in the air. It was a very successful exercise that allowed us to better work with Swedish Marines, the Navy and the Air Force; understand the terrain and Baltic operations and make some friends along the way. The sailors and embarked marines are looking for some rest and refreshment in the beautiful tour of Visby on Gotland.” said Capt. Eric Kellum, commanding officer of the USS Arlington.
As Arlington’s second visit to Sweden, the first being Stockholm, Sweden about a month ago, the port visit to Visby will give Arlington Sailors and Marines the opportunity to explore Sweden’s culture and experience more of what Sweden has to offer. Arlington Sailors and Marines will also have the opportunity to participate in Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) events such as a walking tour through the medieval town of Visby.
The Kearsarge ARG and embarked 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, consists of the Kearsarge, the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24), and the Whidbey Island-class landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).
Incoming commands with the Kearsarge ARG include Amphibious Squadron SIX, 22nd MEU, Fleet Surgical Team 2, Fleet Surgical Team 4, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Naval Beach Group 2, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit , and Beach Master Unit 2.
For over 80 years, US Naval Forces Europe-US Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates US naval forces within the US European Command (USEUCOM) and US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. The US Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces throughout the spectrum of joint and naval operations.