Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Commander, Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) during a port call in Souda Bay, Greece, June 29.
During the visit, the senior leaders met with Thomas Hudner Sailors, who have been conducting operations in the Eastern Mediterranean for the past two weeks with four other U.S. Navy destroyers. They thanked the crew for their operational activities in support of Department of Defense and U.S. Navy taskings.
“I am incredibly proud of these sailors and grateful for their service. They have made tremendous contributions to America’s, and the region’s, security.” Caine said. “No other military in the world can do what we can do, and we’re blessed to have Sailors like these around the globe who make it possible.”
U.S. 6th Fleet positioned five Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in order to provide defensive support to Israel against Iranian attacks and promote regional stability.
The destroyers, including USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), are equipped with the Aegis Weapon System designed for ballistic missile defense and intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles since June 14.
“Thomas Hudner represents the best and the highest standard of our Navy,” Munsch said. “Deploying from our homeland and operating forward to defend our nation and our interests abroad has been a hallmark of our Navy for over two centuries. The naval forces operating in the European theater and beyond have shown that our Navy is prepared, postured, and ready for the challenges we face.”
Since departing Mayport, Florida, in February, Thomas Hudner and its crew have been conducting various operations including integrated exercises, theater security engagement, and maritime security operations.
Included in Thomas Hudner’s previous operations which have already spanned four geographic theaters in a single deployment, the ship represented the Navy during the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy earlier this month.
For over 80 years, NAVEUR/NAVAF has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR/NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the EUCOM and AFRICOM areas of responsibility.