The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) departed Haakonsvern, Norway, Aug. 14, following a scheduled port visit.

While in Haakonsvern, the Sailors aboard James E. Williams performed topside preservation, loaded food aboard, held tours for Norwegian sailors and painted a local church during a community relations project.

"I always commend Sailors for taking time out of their day to help out a local area," said Lt. Mike Taulbee, a Navy chaplain aboard James E. Williams. "Events like these are always rewarding. I've had many Sailors tell me that community relation events like these end up being some of the most memorable experiences they have on deployment."

James E. Williams Sailors were given the opportunity to visit the nearby town of Bergen and experience the culture of the host nation.

"Bergen was a really beautiful place," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Chris Lawson, from Cork, Ireland. "I'm really glad that we were able to get some time to see Norway."

The James E. Williams, home ported in Norfolk, is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

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

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.