The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Facilities, James Balocki, and the Department of the Navy Senior Director for Policy, Strategy, and Capabilities, Mindy Montgomery, visited Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples, Italy, October 31 to November 1 as part of a tour to provide a more comprehensive understanding of regional operations.

Balocki and Montgomery met with Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (CNREURAFSWA) Rear Adm. Rick Williamson, who gave them a brief overview of the mission within the EURAFSWA area of operation (AOR).

"Like a destroyer, cruiser or carrier, our installations deliver a combat capability," Williamson said. "And to do that we have to provide the fuel, water, electricity, and support to the various combatant commanders' and fleet commanders' objectives throughout our area of operations."

The pair is visiting installations throughout the region, and will be accompanied by Deputy Director for Policy, Ms. Noele Patterson, and Director, Military Construction, Capt. Bill Siemer.

CNREURAFSWA encompasses a geographic area that spans across three continents, and three Geographic Combatant Commands, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arabian Gulf and from Northern Europe into Africa. Challenges in the region include combat, low-intensity conflict, hybrid warfare, humanitarian crisis and terrorism. Bases like NSA Naples support the numerous mission- areas which serve to counter these threats.

"In addition to housing multiple operational staffs, including Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and U.S. Sixth Fleet, our base serves as a hub for transporting both personnel and supplies, along with operational support throughout the EURAFSWA area of responsibility," Capt. Todd Abrahamson, commanding officer, NSA Naples, said.

Additional site visits will aim to discuss future growth and current capacity-challenges throughout the region.

In addition to NSA Naples, visits are scheduled to NSA Souda Bay, Naval Air Station Sigonella, and NSA Rota Spain.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.