CHERBOURG, France –
Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) arrived in Cherbourg, France to commemorate their namesake region during a scheduled port visit, Nov. 14, 2022.
During the visit, USS Normandy will participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Utah Beach Memorial. The ship’s leadership will also participate in a dinner reception hosted by Prefet Maritime, Vice Adm. Marc Veran, while the crew builds connections with their French counterparts and the local community during morale, education, and recreation tours and activities.
“It is an honor to represent the 371 Sailors serving aboard USS Normandy, as we visit the ship's namesake port here in France,” said Capt. Gary Chase, commanding officer of USS Normandy. “Representing not only these Sailors, but the countless other French, American, and Allied heroes who gave their lives on these hallowed grounds is a moment in time that will not soon be forgotten.”
USS Normandy is named after the French region of Normandy, the site of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 that shifted the tide of WWII in favor of the allies. In the months that followed D-Day, American, French resistance, and Allied forces fought to drive Nazi occupiers from the region and establish a strong base for the final push to liberate France.
“The USS Normandy’s visit to Cherbourg is a poignant reminder of the long history of shared sacrifice of our two people in service of our shared values. This visit will present invaluable opportunities for American service persons to meet with local communities and to reinforce the critical partnership between our forces,” said Denise Bauer, U.S. Ambassador to France.
USS Normandy is deployed as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. Earlier this month, GRFCSG trained with France and other NATO Allies to demonstrate Ford-class aircraft carrier capabilities during exercise Silent Wolverine.
GRFCSG consists of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, USS Normandy (CG 60), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, including France, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.