USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike), with embarked Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW 3) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 staff, guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), and replenishment ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to celebrate Canada 150, June 28.

This port visit celebrates the long-standing partnership with Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy, and highlights maritime peace and prosperity between our two nations in honor of the sesquicentennial of the signing of Canada's Constitution Act, known as Canada 150.

"It is truly an honor for the United States Navy to visit Halifax to join in a maritime celebration of Canada's 150th birthday," said Rear Adm. Jim Malloy, commander, CSG 10. "This is a testament to the value we continue to place upon this remarkably enduring bilateral relationship. I personally have been blessed to work closely with the Royal Canadian Navy across my career and am excited to return to the beautiful city of Halifax."

The ship's visit marks the first time a U.S. aircraft carrier has visited Halifax since 1998.

"This is an amazing opportunity for the ship and crew to visit Nova Scotia," said Capt. Paul C. Spedero, Jr., Ike's commanding officer. "Our Sailors are excited to learn more about our neighbor to the north, and to join in this momentous occasion."

U.S. Navy ships and Sailors are scheduled to participate in a series of celebratory events to showcase the close ties between the United States and Canada, including participation in the Canada Day parade, volunteering in a Habitat for Humanity project, and the U.S. Fleet Forces Band performing as part of the Royal Nova Scotian International Tattoo.

Quoting President John F. Kennedy, "Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies." It is because of this relationship and the hospitality of the people of Nova Scotia, that Halifax is known as a favorite port visit by Sailors.

"It is one of the best port calls you can have on an aircraft carrier," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class Ryan King from Lakenheath, England, who serves in reactor department aboard Ike. "It's a once-in-a-career opportunity to visit Halifax on an aircraft carrier."

Ike, along with CVW 3 and ships assigned to CSG 10, returned from a successful seven-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation, Dec. 30. While deployed, they conducted maritime security operations and coordinated theater security cooperation efforts and missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over Iraq and Syria. The ship has since remained the surge carrier during the sustainment phase of the Operational Fleet Response Plan (OFRP).

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