U.S. Naval War College Leaders Visit Italian Training Ship Orsa Maggiore

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) President Rear Adm. Darryl Walker led a small group of U.S. Navy officers to visit the Italian training ship Orsa Maggiore in-port Newport, Rhode Island, on Oct. 3, 2025.

Orsa Maggiore is an approximately 93-foot-long ocean ketch, a sail training vessel for the Italian Navy. Walker was greeted onboard by the ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Carmine Tortiello of the Italian Navy, and signed the Orsa Maggiore guest book.

“It was a pleasure to continue building strong relationships with our friends in the Italian Navy and visit their innovative training ship here in Newport,” said Walker. “The skills, aptitudes and instincts these fine professionals sharpen while operating the ketch Orsa Maggiore on the open ocean provide the foundation necessary for long careers as naval warfighters on much larger warships. It was inspiring to talk about how our navies share so many fundamental values and how our forces can continue to work and train together into the future.”

Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.