An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | Nov. 7, 2019

USS Normandy Conducts International Boarding Training

By Lt.j.g. Brian Weinhardt USS Normandy (CG 60)

Guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG60) conducted Maritime Security Operations (MSO) training with members of the Pakistani Navy during International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2019.

The Royal Navy of Oman Al Shamikh and the Pakistan Navy Ship Shamsheer  transit in formation beside the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as part of International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19). The exercise is a multinational engagement involving partners and allies from around the world designed to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences across the full spectrum of defensive maritime operations. IMX 19 serves to demonstrate the global resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce from the Suez Canal south to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait through the Strait of Hormuz to the Northern Arabian Gulf. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman)
The Royal Navy of Oman Al Shamikh and the Pakistan Navy Ship Shamsheer transit in formation beside the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as part of International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19). The exercise is a multinational engagement involving partners and allies from around the world designed to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences across the full spectrum of defensive maritime operations. IMX 19 serves to demonstrate the global resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce from the Suez Canal south to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait through the Strait of Hormuz to the Northern Arabian Gulf. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman)
The Royal Navy of Oman Al Shamikh and the Pakistan Navy Ship Shamsheer  transit in formation beside the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as part of International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19). The exercise is a multinational engagement involving partners and allies from around the world designed to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences across the full spectrum of defensive maritime operations. IMX 19 serves to demonstrate the global resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce from the Suez Canal south to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait through the Strait of Hormuz to the Northern Arabian Gulf. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman)
USS Normandy
The Royal Navy of Oman Al Shamikh and the Pakistan Navy Ship Shamsheer transit in formation beside the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as part of International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19). The exercise is a multinational engagement involving partners and allies from around the world designed to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences across the full spectrum of defensive maritime operations. IMX 19 serves to demonstrate the global resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce from the Suez Canal south to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait through the Strait of Hormuz to the Northern Arabian Gulf. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman)
Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman
VIRIN: 191105-N-PC620-0211
IMX is a bi-annual maritime exercise designed to bring cooperative training across multiple warfare areas. Along with MSO, the participating countries will conduct partnership exercises in air defense, undersea warfare, surface warfare and operating as a joint task force.

USS Normandy and the Pakistani forces were joined by a specialized U.S. Coast Guard boarding team to assist in the training. Members of both units worked through the procedures of clearing USS Normandy as if it were a suspect vessel.

Lt. Michael Sefcik, USS Normandy’s boarding officer, said, “We recently conducted this mission set here, in the Gulf of Oman. Being able to take lessons learned from that, as well as new lessons from this exercise will benefit not only our team but the teams of our partner nations.” Sefcik went on to say that no matter the operation, it is crucial to build relationships, learn from each other and become a more lethal force.

Throughout IMX, USS Normandy and her crew will train and operate with multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Oman and Pakistan.

“Exercises like this are pivotal to developing strong partnerships with regional nations, said USS Normandy Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher D. Stone. “Through exercises such as IMX, we enhance the ability to ensure the free flow of commerce throughout the region.”

During the training event, the teams took a pause to enjoy lunch with the crew of USS Normandy, allowing for additional inter-nation relationships to be formed. USS Normandy is excited to continue its participation in IMX 2019, being the vanguard of maritime operations in USS Normandy fashion.

USS Normandy, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a scheduled deployment.