Guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) conducted a scheduled port visit in Souda Bay, Greece, March 1-5.

Philippine Sea, part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG), was in Souda Bay to enhance U.S-Greece relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure, and prosperous Europe.

GHWBCSG has been conducting precision strikes on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, demonstrating the capability of the U.S. Navy to conduct operations across multiple theaters and highlighting the mobility, flexibility, and power projection capability of the Navy's globally-deployed force.

Souda Bay is Philippine Sea's first port visit of its 2017 deployment with GHWBCSG.

GHWBCSG is comprised of the staff of CSG-2; aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and Danish guided-missile frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F 362); and Mayport-based Philippine Sea and USS Hue City (CG 66).

Quote:

"The crew really loved their visit to Souda Bay, and personally I very much enjoyed exploring Greece's countryside and taking in the fascinating history, culture, and of course the authentic food." - Cmdr. Rick Tester, Philippine Sea executive officer.

Quick Facts:

During Philippine Sea's visit to Souda Bay, March 1-5, the crew conducted a community relations project, where Philippine Sea Sailors helped clean a community beach.

Strengthening alliances during port visits demonstrates the shared commitment to promote safety and stability within the region, while seeking opportunities to enhance interoperability with NATO allies, such as Greece.

The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations.

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 USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit http://www.navy.mil/.