 Hi, I'm Vice Admiral Lisa Franketti, Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. On February 12, 1950, Sixth Fleet was formally established to command naval forces in Europe and Africa. Following the successful conclusion of World War II and the establishment of NATO in 1949, the Navy established Sixth Fleet to serve as a strong southern flank to NATO forces in Western Europe. Throughout the years, Sixth Fleet has continued to build a legacy of naval power and presence across the region in support of U.S. interests, the NATO Alliance, and our allies and partners alike through a myriad of maritime and combined joint operations, exercises, and engagements. In the dynamic and ever-changing security environment of the past 70 years, one thing has remained constant. The inherent flexibility of the Navy Marine Corps team to deliver combat-ready forces when needed and where needed, providing options to our national decision makers. Today, the men and women of Sixth Fleet, our sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, civilians, and their families, comprise the finest fighting force in support of our national defense strategy. To all who have served in the Sixth Fleet, past and present, to our forward-deployed ships and our silent submarines, our maritime patrol aircraft and our expeditionary forces, to our logistic supply professionals and our robust support staff. On behalf of a grateful nation, happy 70th Birthday Sixth Fleet, may you always live up to your legacy and deliver power for peace.