Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) hosted a reception while in port Naples, Italy, as part of the Great Green Fleet partnership between the U.S. and Italian navies, June 18.

The event was a celebration of continued partnership with Italy and the Italian navy, in particular the Flotta Verde, and the U.S. joint commitment to energy efficiency and conservation.

"The 'Mighty Ike' and her strike group are a centerpiece of the U.S. Navy's effort to transform our energy use, improve our combat capability, and strengthen our ability to provide presence," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy) Joe Bryan. "We are not alone in that transformation. Flotta Verde marks the Italian navy's effort to lead the way on energy security and environmental stewardship."

Rear Adm. Jesse Wilson, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, referenced the saying, 'amateurs talk tactics and experts talk logistics.'

"In Flotta Verde and Great Green Fleet we talk both, and the use of energy efficient systems relieves the burden on our logistics chains, enabling enhanced sustainment of our forces and [enhancing] our combat capability," Wilson said.

On June 16, Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) ships participated in a multi-day passing exercise (PASSEX) involving units of the Italian navy's Flotta Verde. The PASSEX highlighted energy conservation operations and included a replenishment-at-sea event, with Italian oiler ITS Etna (A5326) giving more than 15,000 gallons of advanced fuel (F76 equivalent) to the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87).

"This would not have been possible without the vision and leadership of the Italian navy," Wilson said. "The recent Great Green Fleet operations in the Mediterranean, along with the strike group port visits throughout Italy, further highlight energy conservation technologies for both navies and emphasizes our enduring partnership with Italy."

The Great Green Fleet is the Department of the Navy's energy conservation initiative that uses energy efficient systems, processes and alternative energy in an operational environment, highlighting them as key enablers of combat capability and energy security.

The Great Green Fleet initiative began in 2009 when Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced five aggressive energy goals to reduce DON consumption of energy, decrease reliance on foreign sources of oil and significantly increase its use of alternative energy.

The art of coalition operations today is to leverage the unique capabilities and strengths of each member. The event aboard Ike demonstrates the U.S. and Italian navies' mutual commitment to increase energy efficiency as it enables our forces to go farther, stay longer and deliver more combat capability while also continuing to foster our partnerships.

Ike, part of the Ike CSG, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

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