USS Carter Hall arrives in Romania for joint amphibious exercise

U.S. Navy’s amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and embarked marines transited the Bosphorus Strait on March 17 to visit Romania and take part in the bilateral amphibious operations exercise Spring Storm 2017.

The exercise is taking place in the Black Sea between March 18 and 21.

Spring Storm will provide Romanian and American forces an opportunity to increase the interoperability and enhance relationships through a series of exercises.

“The Spring Storm exercise provides Carter Hall a valuable opportunity to operate forward with our NATO ally in the Black Sea region,” said Cmdr. Timothy Carter, USS Carter Hall commanding officer. “We are looking forward to increasing our mutual cooperation to enhance security throughout 6th Fleet.”

Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) departed Little Creek, Virginia, Feb. 25, to begin its scheduled deployment as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG).

The Bataan ARG is comprised of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Also embarked on the Bataan ARG are Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, Fleet Surgical Team 6, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Assault Craft Unit 4, and Beachmaster Unit 2.