David Moreno

COMSIXTHFLEET, also known as the Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, is a major operational fleet of the United States Navy with headquarters in Naples, Italy. Established in 1950, the Sixth Fleet has played a critical role in maintaining maritime security and projecting American naval power throughout the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding regions. Over the decades, COMSIXTHFLEET has participated in numerous operations, including peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance, and joint exercises with NATO allies. The unit continues to serve as a forward-deployed force, responding to crises, deterring aggression, and supporting U.S. and allied interests in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

USS Belknap (CG-26) was a guided missile cruiser and the lead ship of her class in the United States Navy, commissioned in 1964. Originally designated as a destroyer leader (DLG-26), she was later reclassified as a cruiser (CG-26) in 1975. Belknap is most notably remembered for the catastrophic collision with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy in 1975, which resulted in a deadly fire and extensive damage. After an extensive rebuild, she returned to service, eventually serving as the flagship for the U.S. Sixth Fleet before being decommissioned in 1995.

USS Preble (DDG-46) was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on May 9, 1960. Named after Commodore Edward Preble, a hero of the First Barbary War, the ship served prominently during the Cold War era. Preble participated in various operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet and support missions during the Vietnam War. After over two decades of service, USS Preble was decommissioned on November 15, 1991, and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS Okinawa (LPH-3) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1962. Named after the pivotal World War II Battle of Okinawa, she served as a helicopter carrier, supporting amphibious operations and rapid troop deployment. Throughout her career, USS Okinawa participated in the Vietnam War, the recovery of Apollo spacecraft, and numerous Cold War-era exercises and operations. After over 28 years of service, she was decommissioned in 1992 and later sunk as a target in 2002.

USS Coronado (LPD-11) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Designed to support amphibious assault operations, she transported Marines, equipment, and landing craft, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including missions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In 1980, Coronado served as the flagship for Commander, U.S. Middle East Force during the Iran Hostage Crisis. Later, she was converted into an auxiliary command ship, serving as the flagship for the U.S. Third Fleet until her decommissioning in 2006.

USS PUGET SOUND

U.S. Navy

**USS PUGET SOUND (AD-38)** was a Yellowstone-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1968. Serving as a mobile repair and support ship, she provided maintenance, logistics, and administrative services to the fleet, primarily supporting destroyers and other surface combatants. Throughout her career, USS Puget Sound operated in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean, frequently serving as flagship for the U.S. Sixth Fleet and supporting operations during crises such as the Lebanon conflict in the 1980s. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1996 and later scrapped.