Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) arrived in Villefranche sur Mer, France, Jan. 19 for a scheduled port visit.

The visit aims to enhance U.S.-France relations and commemorate events honoring the 50th anniversary of the years 1950s and 1960s during which the U.S. 6th Fleet was based in Villefranche sur Mer, France.

Quote:

"We have worked closely with the French navy during our two deployments in 6th Fleet since joining the forward-deployed naval forces in Europe. It is an honor to visit France and pay homage to our shared naval heritage. We have been close allies for nearly 2 1/2 centuries, and nowhere is that partnership more evident than between our two navies here in the Mediterranean." - Cmdr. Peter Halvorsen, commanding officer, USS Carney (DDG 64)

Quick Facts:

U.S. 6th Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Christopher Grady will be visiting Toulon to meet with the commander of the French Mediterranean Fleet (CECMED), Vice Adm. Charles-Henri du Che, and will attend U.S. 6th Fleet homeport commemoration events in Villefranche sur Mer.

The U.S. 6th Fleet was based in Villefranche sur Mer from May 1956 to January 1967.

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 http://www.navy.mil/.