The visit is The Sullivans’ third port visit since deploying from her homeport of Mayport, Florida on April 19th. The Sullivans crew had the opportunity to conduct routine maintenance and repairs, and to experience the local sights and culture of Limassol. To ensure the safety and health of the ship’s crew and host nation citizens, all personnel have been fully vaccinated and were in compliance with host nation quarantine and infection control regulations.

Sailors and Marines also participated in a community relations (COMREL) beach clean-up event, helping the municipality to eventually extend the boardwalk connecting two already developed beaches. This contribution will eventually generate commercial and private interest while increasing the level of community development in the area. Local community leaders were on hand to provide gloves, trash bags, water, and a light breakfast for the crew.

"The crew of The Sullivans is excited to be in Limassol with the Queen Elizabeth Strike Group," said Cmdr. David Burkett, commanding officer of The Sullivans. "After conducting operations in the Easter Mediterranean alongside partners in the region, it is our pleasure to be here to build partnerships, conduct logistics operations, and take some well-deserved rest."

The Sullivans is named to honour five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa who served together on the USS Juneau during World War II. The Sullivan brothers: George, 28; Francis, 27; Joseph, 24; Madison, 23; and Albert, 20; lost their lives during the Battle of Guadalcanal Nov. 13, 1942. They were adamant about serving together in spite of the Navy wartime policy to separate family members.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 and USS The Sullivans are humbled and proud to continue the special relationship with the United Kingdom through the deployment of Carrier Strike Group 21.  Their interoperability with the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and additional international allies will preserve our collective military advantage and reinforce rules-based international order.  The United States and United Kingdom’s forward-deployed forces remain ready to respond to crises globally as a combined maritime force – we stand together.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/thesullivansddg68/, www.twitter.com/SenNatRepQNLZ, www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.