The guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) welcomed the commander of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) for a routine visit, Dec. 8.

This marked Rear Adm. Jim Malloy's first visit to an Ike CSG ship since entering the Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 4.

"I cannot say enough about the quality of the work and the combat readiness that you all provide here," said Malloy.

While on board, Malloy held an all hands call with the crew, conducted an awards ceremony, and spoke with members of the crew directly.

"I thought it was cool that the admiral took time out of his day to stop by and recognize those who've been working hard during this deployment," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Giovanni Gonzalez.

Malloy expressed his confidence in Roosevelt and discussed his four priorities for the strike group: multi-mission capabilities, safety, investment in ships and investment in Sailors.

"The presence of this ship in vicinity of our flagship, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, allows me to safely send aircraft into Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, because I know I have Roosevelt around," said Malloy.

Malloy also toured the ship and met with junior Sailors, chiefs and officers.

"He seemed very genuine. He displayed his love for the cruiser and destroyer Navy by the way he talked of his experiences on past destroyers and showed concern for the future plans for our ship," said Lt. j.g. Scott Oberst.

Roosevelt, deployed as part of the Ike CSG, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

Ike CSG is comprised of the staff of CSG-10, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the embarked squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff, guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Stout (DDG 55), Roosevelt, USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

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