That is the second port name Normandy has made to Piraeus within the month of December, and it presents the US an opportunity to strengthen its bond with its fellow NATO ally Greece.
“Whereas Normandy and the Gerald R. Ford Provider Strike Group proceed to supply a persistent presence within the Mediterranean Sea, this second port name to Piraeus ensures my officers and crew get to take pleasure in some well-earned liberty throughout the vacation season,” stated Capt. Errol A. Robinson, commanding officer, USS Normandy.
“I’m excited to revisit Piraeus and Athens, and see the Acropolis for the primary time,” stated Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Jason Stone. “You develop up listening to the myths about Zeus and Mt. Olympus, and now I get to study the historic background behind them, and see the place these tales truly got here from.”
The final U.S. Navy vessel to go to Piraeus was the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) on December 8, 2023. Bulkeley was preceded by an earlier go to to Piraeus from Normandy on December 3, 2023.
The GRFCSG has spent a big quantity of its maiden deployment steaming with the Hellenic navy, with Normandy internet hosting Greek sailors from HS Elli aboard in late August.
Normandy is part of the Gerald R. Ford Provider Strike Group (GRFCSG). The GRFCSG is comprised of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Provider Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the Info Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60).
The ships of DESRON-2 throughout the GRFCSG are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).
The squadrons of CVW-8 embarked aboard Gerald R. Ford are the “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 9, the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, the “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Management Squadron (VAW 124), the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, the “Blacklions” of (VFA-213), the “Golden Warriors” of (VFA-87), the “Tomcatters” of (VFA-31), the “Grey Wolves” of Digital Assault Squadron (VAQ) 142, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Assist Squadron (VRC) 40.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has solid strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of duty. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by means of the total spectrum of joint and naval operations.
