Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) concluded a scheduled port visit in Trieste, Italy, June 22.

Nitze Sailors were able to enjoy four days in the city with options to participate in Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) tours.

"I liked all the ancient stuff we were able to see," said Yeoman Seaman Shellon Nicholson, who attended the olive oil farm, cave and castle tour. "It's a pretty old city, and there are a lot of artifacts that we haven't been able to see before coming from the U.S."

While in port, Nitze hosted a reception to highlight the Great Green Fleet initiative, which included attendance by several local business leaders and dignitaries, including United States Consul General in Milan, Ambassador Philip T. Reeker.

"We hosted this reception to thank our Italian allies for their hospitality and hosting us in their beautiful nation, as well as their continued support to the U.S. in response to our Great Green Fleet initiative," said Cmdr. Paul Kaylor, Nitze's commanding officer.

Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) ships are the centerpiece of the Great Green Fleet initiative, which emphasizes use of energy conservation measures as a key combat enabler to allow ships to go farther, stay longer and deliver more combat capability.

"We appreciate their cooperation and partnership in the development of an alternative fuel source that is drop-in, non-food sourced, and is competitive to conventional petroleum products," said Kaylor.

Nitze, 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 consists of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 staff, the squadrons 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 guided-missile destroyers USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Mason (DDG 87) and Nitze.

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