Naval Support Activity Souda Bay supported the arrival of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Chania, Crete, Greece, Jan. 6, 2024, during a multi-country trip around the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Secretary Blinken arrived to Chania, Crete, Greece, to meet with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for an exchange of views on the U.S.-Greece bilateral relationship, the Eastern Mediterranean region, and the NATO alliance.



“I can’t think of a time when the partnership, the friendship between our countries, has been stronger,” said Secretary Blinken when commenting about the U.S.-Greece bilateral relationship. “And we see that manifested in all sorts of ways every single day.”

Sailors and personnel assigned to NSA Souda Bay helped facilitate the Secretary’s visit by providing air operations, logistical, and security support services, as well as access to the air terminal and other installation facilities.

“This morning, we set up the entire security team,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Phillip McCohnell, assigned to NSA Souda Bay. “We actually vetted everyone who came through in support of the visit.”
McCohnell is a watch commander who helps execute NSA Souda Bay’s Force Protection mission requirements onboard the installation and at the NATO Marathi Pier Complex.

“I’m very proud of this base and what we’ve accomplished to support this mission in such a quick fashion,” said McCohnell. “This is the most exciting part of our job!”



“Supporting Secretary Blinken and the State Department is just another example of what makes us the premier installation of choice,” said Capt. Odin J. Klug, commanding officer, NSA Souda Bay. “Our strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean enables the full force of the U.S. government to help ensure security and stability in the European, African and Central Command areas of responsibility.”