Army Meets Navy in Albania

Photo By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Bryson | The newly arrived USNS Bob Hope is seen anchored just off the coast of Durres, Albania, April 26, 2021, where it will participate in the theater opening exercise of DEFENDER-Europe 21 which features Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operations. During these operations, the U.S. military, working with multinational partners and allies, will demonstrate its ability to rapidly deliver troops, supplies and equipment quickly, anywhere in the world, in response to crisis. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth O. Bryson)  

ALBANIA

04.26.2021

Story by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Bryson 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

TIRANA, Albania– The USNS Bob Hope arrived just off the coast of Durres, Albania, April 26, 2021, where it was greeted by the crew of the U.S. Army Logistics Support Vessel MG Charles P. Gross. Both crews will participate in the theater opening exercise of DEFENDER-Europe 21, which features operations that will transfer more than 800 pieces of heavy equipment onto land where it will then be forwarded to thousands of troops across the European theater to be used in a variety of multinational training exercises.

Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operations such as this facilitate the transfer of equipment and supplies from a larger ship to smaller vessels, and then onto land, which not only allows commanders on the ground to amass the combat power necessary to defend against any potential threat– but can provide critical disaster and humanitarian relief into areas where suitable deep water ports are degraded or otherwise unavailable for use.

During upcoming JLOTS operations at Durres Port, U.S. Army and Navy Sailors will work together with multinational partners and allies to demonstrate the U.S. military’s ability to rapidly deliver troops, supplies and equipment quickly, anywhere in the world, in response to crisis.

DEFENDER-Europe is an annual large-scale U.S. Army-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO and partner militaries. This year, more than 28,000 multinational forces from 27 nations will conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in more than a dozen countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region. Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21, visit www.EuropeAfrica.army.mil/DefenderEurope.

• Date Taken: 04.26.2021
• Date Posted: 04.27.2021 16:15
• Story ID: 394897
• Location: AL