U.S. Naval Task Force Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet:
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY NAPLES, Italy – Commodore Jeffrey Wolstenholme assumed command of the newly established Commander, Task Force 64 (CTF 64) during a ceremony held on U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples, Capodichino, in Naples, Italy March 24, 2016.
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and U.S. Fleet Forces Command established CTF 64 to create a command focused on Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) in Europe.
Quote:
“By establishing this task force, U.S. Sixth Fleet is aligning our organization to better address the changing threats in Europe. [Capt. Wolstenholme] will be formally identified as the U.S. ballistic missile defense expert in his position as commander of Sixth Fleet’s Task Force 64 and as Commander of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Task Force.”
– Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. James Foggo III
“The United States made a commitment to our NATO partners called the European Phased Adaptive Approach, to help defend NATO Europe against Ballistic Missile threats from the Middle East. And, as part of this commitment to NATO, the Navy has established this new Task Force to be the operational commander for Aegis Ashore and the tactical commander directing our Ballistic Missile Defense forces in defense of NATO Europe.”
– Commander, Task Force 64, Commodore Jeffery Wolstenholme
Quick Facts:
The establishment of CTF64 is in response to countering potential ballistic missile threats from outside the Euro-Atlantic area and improving the defense capabilities of Europe.
CTF 64 will be responsible for executing operational and tactical integrated air and missile defense for NAVEUR-NAVAF, while also providing direct support for Aegis BMD planning to Commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Commander, Allied Air Command.
The command’s BMD mission seeks to defend NATO allies and U.S. Interests and deployed forces throughout Europe with a commitment to regional security.
European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) is the U.S. national contribution to the NATO BMD mission. Naval assets that fall under the EPAA umbrella are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Carney (DDG 64), USS Donald Cook (DDG 65) USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS Ross (DDG 71)…
