The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) departed Marseille, France, , Dec 20, after a four-day port call where the crew was given the chance to enjoy the French culture by touring the host city and surrounding areas.

Ike hosted a formal reception the day of arrival for esteemed government and military officials as its hangar bay was transformed from a haze grey airplane garage to a well-lit and decorated banquet hall.

"It was an amazing experience to meet French service members," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Kathryne Drlicka, who attended the reception. "We had a lot of fun discussing our differences and the many similarities inherent to our service. The more I talk to members of the military from our allied countries, the more I realize how much we are all on the same team."

Off-ship tours were organized by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation program and included Marseille, Monte Carlo and Monaco city tours, wine tasting, skiing in the French Alps, and overnight trips to Disney World and Paris. The Sailors who took advantage of these tours were treated to the extensive, and delicious, French culture.

"It was fun," said Petty Officer 1st Class Dianne Thorpe, who went on a half-day tour of Marseille. "A lot of the sights were impressive, and there is so much history here. It's also a great opportunity for Sailors to see the world and gain an understanding of another culture."

Ike also hosted several in-port tours throughout the port call for local citizens, firefighters, police officers and junior and senior military personnel, including Vice Adm. Charles-Henri Garie, commanding officer for both the French Navy Marseille and the Battalion of Navy Firefighters of Marseille. Garie met with Rear Adm. Jim Malloy, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, who gave a tour of Ike and thanked Garie for all the contributions the French Navy has made to Ike in the war against ISIL.

Ike's hospitality was well-reciprocated as 15 enlisted Sailors were invited to attend a Christmas party at the town hall of Marseilles' 6th and 8th arrondissement hosted by the French, United States Association. During the event, hosted by the city's mayor, Ike Sailors socialized with local citizens and politicians, once again strengthening the bond between the two allies at multiple levels.

Ike deployed as part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG), June 1. Ike CSG consists of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 staff, the staff and squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff, the guided-missile cruisers San Jacinto and USS Monterey (CG 61), and guided-missile destroyers USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

Ike, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of our allies and partners and U.S. national security interests in Europe.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of join and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interested an security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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