Rear Adm. Bret C. Batchelder, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, visited guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) to meet and speak with the crew, Jan. 21.

Upon arrival, Batchelder was greeted by Cmdr. Hank Allen, Bulkeley's commanding officer, before meeting with officers in the ship's wardroom.

Batchelder received a tour of the ship including combat information center, the vertical launch missile system, and central control station. Batchelder took time during the tour to talk with various members of the crew.

"Thank you for all you do and your families who support you," said Batchelder. "Your families particularly have to live with your absence every day. They could never get enough recognition for their support."

Batchelder also emphasized the crew's role in the strike group during deployment.

"It's a team effort and it couldn't be done without Bulkeley," said Batchelder. "What Bulkeley does daily in support of Truman allows our pilots to continue their mission, and to make it back safely each night."

After the tour, Batchelder was escorted to the flight deck for departure.

"We were honored to have our strike group commander onboard today," said Allen. "For him to take the time out of his busy schedule shows his concern for the crew and his commitment to ensuring that we have everything that we need to support the mission. The crew loved having him onboard and getting the opportunity to show off Bulkeley."

Bulkeley is currently deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.