U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) stopped in Souda Bay, Greece, for the first port visit during its 2017 deployment with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG).
USS Philippine Sea was in Greece from March 1 to March 5 conducting a community relations project, where Philippine Sea Sailors helped clean a community beach.
During operations with GHWBCSG, Philippine Sea has been supporting precision strikes on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
GHWBCSG is comprised of the staff of CSG-2; aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103), Danish guided-missile frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F 362) and Mayport-based Philippine Sea and USS Hue City (CG 66).
“The crew really loved their visit to Souda Bay, and personally I very much enjoyed exploring Greece’s countryside and taking in the fascinating history, culture, and of course the authentic food,” said Cmdr. Rick Tester, Philippine Sea executive officer.
Prior to visiting Greece, Philippine Sea took part in exercises with the Egyptian Navy.