The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) arrived in Agadir, Morocco, on November 28, for a scheduled port visit, the U.S. Navy said.
As explained, the visit serves to enhance U.S.-Morocco relations as the two nations work together to strengthen regional security and stability.
Vella Gulf, homeported in Norfolk, is conducting maritime operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of regional allies and partners and U.S. national security interests.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
“Our crew is really excited for our visit to Morocco; most sailors joined the navy to see the world and very few of them have ever been to Agadir or anywhere else in Africa,” Capt. Rob Thompson, commanding officer of Vella Gulf, said.