U.S. and Italian Navies Conduct First Multi-Large Deck Event in the Indo-Pacific | Aviation

The USS Lincoln and ITS Cavour carrier strike groups engaged in enhanced maritime communication, air warfare and cross-deck flight operations as part of the first MLDE of the two navies in the Indo-Pacific.

The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and the ITS Cavour Carrier Strike Group conducted the first-ever bilateral Multi-Large Deck Event (MLDE) held in the Indo-Pacific by the U.S. Navy and Italian Navy on Aug. 9, 2024. The announcement comes as ITS Cavour completed its participation to Exercise Pitch Black 2024 and is enroute to Japan, while the USS Lincoln (CVN-72) is sailing towards the Middle East.

The event was the occasion for the two services to engage in joint operations, including enhanced maritime communication operations, air warfare operations and cross-deck flight operations, to strengthen maritime integrated-at-sea operations and combat readiness.

While the Italian aircraft carrier already integrated with U.S. carriers, including with the USS Eisenhower while on the way to Australia, this is the first time ever in the Indo-Pacific region and as part of a MLDE. This adds to a series of milestones reached during the ITS Cavour’s first deployment to the region.

“This was a…