WILHELMSHAVEN, Germany - Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle visited German naval leaders, toured the guided-missile frigate FGS Sachsen (F 219), and observed ship maintenance facilities in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, Oct. 8, highlighting shared priorities in fleet readiness, shipbuilding and maintenance.
During the visit, Caudle received briefings from German Navy Flotilla Adm. Sven Beck, commander of Flotilla 2, and Rainer Sacher, director of the German Naval Arsenal, on the state of the German Navy, operational priorities and naval infrastructure.
"Our relationship with the German Navy is built on decades of trust, shared sacrifice and a common commitment to maritime security," said Caudle. "Strong alliances require more than operating together at sea. We also have to learn from one another and find better ways to build, maintain and sustain the warships our Sailors need to fight and win."
The discussions included ship maintenance, repair capacity and lessons learned in sustaining operationally ready fleets.
"Both of our navies understand that readiness doesn't begin when a ship gets underway," said Caudle. "It begins in our shipyards, our maintenance facilities and with the skilled people who keep our ships operational. By studying what each of us does well, we can identify smarter, faster and more effective ways to return ships to the fleet and keep them in the fight."
Caudle, joined by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman, also toured FGS Sachsen, a German Navy Sachsen-class air-defense frigate. During the tour, the Navy's senior leaders met with the ship's crew and thanked German Sailors who participated in the United States' 250th Independence Day celebrations in New York City in July.
"It meant a great deal to have German Sailors standing alongside our own as America celebrated 250 years of independence," said Caudle. "Your presence in New York was a powerful reminder that the friendships we've built across the Atlantic extend well beyond our military missions. We're proud to serve alongside you, and we're grateful for the professionalism and friendship you bring to this partnership."
Perryman also met with Sachsen's enlisted leadership and crew, discussing the importance of professional development, leadership and the role enlisted Sailors play in maintaining operational readiness. The engagement provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the challenges facing Sailors in both navies and reinforce the professional relationships that underpin successful allied operations.
"Whether you're serving aboard an American destroyer or a German frigate, the foundation of a strong Navy is its Sailors," said Perryman. "We may wear different uniforms, but we share the same commitment to our shipmates, our mission and getting the job done. These opportunities to connect with our German counterparts, exchange ideas and learn from one another make us better Sailors and stronger partners."
The CNO concluded his visit with a tour of shipyard facilities supporting German naval vessel maintenance and repair. The engagement highlighted the importance of maintenance capacity, industrial expertise and efficient repair processes as both navies sustain increasingly complex warships.
"We cannot afford to have ships sitting pierside when they should be at sea," said Caudle. "Building warships is only part of the equation. We have to sustain them throughout their service lives, and that means having the right infrastructure, workforce and processes in place. Our German partners face many of the same challenges, and there is tremendous value in comparing approaches and applying lessons learned to improve readiness across both fleets."
The visit reinforced the U.S. Navy's commitment to working with Germany and other NATO allies to strengthen maritime security, improve naval capabilities and deter aggression across the European theater and beyond.
The visit to Wilhelmshaven marked the final stop of Caudle's trip through the U.S. European Command area of responsibility, which began with engagements at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, followed by participation in the Trans Regional Support Squadron (TRSS) in Venice, Italy, and meetings with leadership and Sailors at U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Throughout the trip, Caudle reinforced the importance of forward-deployed naval forces, operational readiness and strengthening partnerships to address shared security challenges.
