The port tour is part of the planned maintenance period for Leyte Gulf’s Mid-Deployment Voyage Repair (MDVR) and allows Leyte Gulf sailors some well-deserved free time while admiring the sights, art , the history and gastronomy of Crete.
“We are excited to return to Souda Bay,” said Capt. Michael Weeldreyer, Leyte Gulf commander. “The time spent in port will be used to carry out necessary maintenance and enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation, not forgetting to continue to foster our friendships with partner countries.”
To operate reliably, ships require preventive and regular maintenance, much of which is carried out in progress. However, some maintenance items must be performed on the dock side due to work or parts requirements. Planned MDVRs allow U.S. ships to perform these corrective and preventative repairs to ensure the ship remains fully capable of fulfilling its mission throughout the deployment.
While in port, Sailors will also have the opportunity to engage with the local community by participating in a series of Community Relations (COMREL) events at a local dog shelter where Sailors will contribute to the improvement of shelter grounds and socializing animals, as well as picking oranges for local orphanages.
“The COMRELs provided to us are a great opportunity to not only provide a service to local residents, but also to spend time in a country doing something we wouldn’t normally do,” said corps member Gwendolyn Juel Hospitaller 2nd Class, assigned to Leyte Gulf. . “We work hand in hand with people that I normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to do. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and the experience. I look forward to learning more in the future.
Leyte Gulf, homeported in Norfolk, is attached to the USS George HW Bush (CSG) Carrier Strike Group and is operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations on a planned deployment.
The George HW Bush Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is the flagship of the CSG-10, George HW Bush CSG. CSG-10 is composed of George HW Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, Information Warfare Commander and Leyte Gulf.
DESRON 26 ships within CSG-10 are USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) .
The CVW-7 squadrons embarked aboard the George HW Bush are the “Sidewinders” of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA 86), the “Jolly Rogers” (VFA-103), the “Knighthawks” (VFA-136), the ” Pukin Dogs” (VFA-143), the “Bluetails” of the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW 121), the “Patriots” of the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ 140), the “Nightdippers” of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC 5), and the “Grand Masters” of the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM 46).
For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with its allies and partners, relying on 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. The U.S. 6th Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces across the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.
The George HW Bush CSG is undergoing a planned deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by the U.S. 6th Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
