Seaman Nicole VanderGriend shows us how Sailors stay mission ready through practice and training.

The U.S. Navy conducted Common Picture Operational (CPO) tests with Finland’s navy Sept. 6 and will continue throughout Combined Endeavor 2012.

Four Romanian Master Chief Petty Officers attended a senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) training course at U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet headquarters in Naples, Aug. 13-16.

LISBON, Portugal – Navy Capt. Karl Thomas was relieved as commanding officer by Navy Capt. Jeffrey Ruth during a change of command ceremony aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), Aug. 12.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – USS Taylor (FFG 50) moored pier side in Copenhagen, Denmark, Aug. 10, to participate in the 500 year anniversary of the Danish navy.

ODESSA, Ukraine – John F. Tefft, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, paid a visit to USS Taylor (FFG 50) upon the ship’s return to Odessa, Ukraine, July 24.

ODESSA, Ukraine – Sailors aboard USS Taylor (FFG 50) took time during exercise Sea Breeze 2010 to deliver Project Handclasp supplies to the Lastochka Orphanage in Odessa, July 16.

STUTTGART, Germany (NNS) -- The chief of the Navy Reserve visited reserve sailors in Stuttgart July 8 during an all hands call.

NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, Bulgaria — Bulgarian soldiers and U.S. sailors and Marions partnered with Bulgarian army soldiers July 7 for a live-fire exercise at Novo Selo Training Area.

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey — While on a Memorial Day recreational trip to Kizkalesi Beach, Turkey, four sailors temporarily stationed at Incirlik aided in the rescue of a Turkish family-of-six after their small boat capsized May 29.

Souda Bay sailors hike Samaria Gorge

Sigonella Sailors refurbish local orphanage

Hospital Corpsman participate in a marathon run in Naval Station Rota, Spain.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Navy 6th Fleet's commander reaffirmed the Navy's commitment to global alliances and ongoing maritime operations, specifically in the Europe-Africa region, during a media roundtable June 14 at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, Mediterranean Sea — Sailors and Marines aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) were given the opportunity to participate in religious services with chaplains from French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R 91) June 13 in Truman's chapel.

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) departed Marseille, France, June 12, concluding a four day port visit to the second largest city in France.

MARSEILLE, France — Crew members from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) performed more than 900 hours of community service during a recent port visit to Marseille, France, June 9-12.

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, Mediterranean Sea — As part of interoperability operations with the French navy, a maintenance crew for the French aircraft Rafale F3 performed a jet engine swap-out on board the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) June 4.

Last year when I attended the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion, I left Normandy, France feeling the proudest I’ve ever been wearing the U.S. Army uniform. So this year when I boarded the MC-130 Shadow aircraft to Normandy, I was excited to return to a place where the American Soldier is so adored and appreciated.

Not long after the Civil War, Americans pledged to honor those who, as Abraham Lincoln put it, gave the last full measure of devotion. Be they from Lexington and Concord; Gettysburg and Antietam; the Argonnes Forest or the beaches of Normandy; Chosin and Inchon; Saigon and the Mekong Delta; Baghdad or Kandahar — we have kept that pledge every Memorial Day, and rightfully so.

USS GUNSTON HALL, Mediterranean Sea — The second phase of exercise Phoenix Express 2010 (PE10) began after the successful completion of the in port segment of the exercise in Souda Bay, Greece on May 24.

SOUDA BAY, Greece — Teams from eight ships came together to participate in damage control training as a part of exercise Phoenix Express 2010 (PE10) at Marathi Pier in Souda Bay, Greece, May 19.

NAPLES, Italy — Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet (CNE-CNA/C6F) Headquarters held an Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month celebration for military and civilian personnel May 19.

KLAIPEDA, Lithuania &8212; Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) visited Klaipeda, Lithuania May 4-7 for a three-day theater security cooperation (TSC) port visit to the country.

Sigonella, Italy's Morale, Welfare and Recreation holds Motto Trail Run

ROTA, Spain — As medical and logistic military flights are diverted from northern European air routes due to volcanic ash from Iceland, Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Base continue to provide staging support at almost double capacity.

NAPLES, Italy — Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Fitness Forum's Spouse Fit for Life program is assisting family members with getting into shape and staying healthy.

Distant pinging can be heard through the bulkheads of the guided missile destroyer USS Laboon while Sailors aboard the ship conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises April 17 and 18.