While this was a working port visit, crew members had an opportunity to rest and unwind and were in full compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Defense (DOD) and host nation COVID-19 mitigation measures.

“Our continuous presence in Europe and the relationships built over the last 70 years provides the U.S. strategic access critical to meet our commitments,” said Capt. Michael P. Desmond, commanding officer, USS Vella Gulf (CG 72). “These proven relations with our partners and allies are built upon shared values, experiences and vision.”

Vella Gulf will continue transiting to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to rejoin the IKE CSG in providing naval air support for the Afghanistan troop drawdown mission.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is a multiplatform team of ships, aircraft and more than 5,000 Sailors, capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions around the globe. The Navy provides a ready, flexible force capable of responding to a broad range of contingencies.

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.

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