NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece –
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) arrived in Souda Bay, Greece for a scheduled port visit November 22.
Souda Bay, a bay and natural harbor town located on the northwest coast of Crete, is a popular tourist destination and is home to Crete Naval Base, a major naval installation of the Hellenic Navy and NATO in the eastern Mediterranean.
This visit, which marks Arleigh Burke’s second visit to Souda Bay and the ship’s sixth port visit during Arleigh Burke’s 2018 deployment, reaffirms cooperation efforts between partner nations and helps to establish conditions for security and stability in the region.
During this visit, Arleigh Burke Sailors will have the opportunity view historical sights and locales, and re-experience the culture of Crete, Greece.
“We are honored and excited to return to Souda Bay,” said Cmdr. Errol Robinson, commanding officer of Arleigh Burke. “The crew looks forward to spending time in Crete once more and bolstering our relationships with our Mediterranean allies. These types of engagements solidify relations and partnerships among the United States, our allies, and our partners.”
Arleigh Burke, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group departed Norfolk Aug. 28 for a scheduled deployment to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation efforts and forward naval presence in the U.S. 2nd and 6th Fleet areas of operations.