6th Fleet Commander Visits Enterprise

From Enterprise Strike Group Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, visited USS Enterprise (CVN 65) to meet with senior carrier strike group (CSG) leadership, and to thank the crew at the beginning of their deployment, Feb. 4.

Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., and Command Master Chief (AW/SS/SW/FMF/DV/PJ) Jay R. Wood Jr., command master chief of U.S. 6th Fleet headquarters; flew aboard the deployed aircraft carrier as the CSG continued theater security cooperation efforts in the Mediterranean.

"What you are doing is important," said Harris. "You have already visited Portugal and will soon arrive in Turkey, and these visits are important to our nation and important to 6th Fleet. Later, you will be supporting our combat troops in Afghanistan in the 5th Fleet [area of operations]. I applaud you for your energy and I thank you for your service."

The leaders toured the ship and met with Sailors and Marines to thank them personally for their efforts in support of the deployment.

During the ship's recent stop in Lisbon, the ship invited more than 1,000 guests to the ship for a reception, tours and media visits during the four-day visit. The crew participated in three community relations projects, and senior military commanders from both countries held briefings and meetings discussing military-to-military capabilities, while the crew took in the sights and sounds that their host nation provided.

Enterprise Strike Group consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.

For news regarding Enterprise Strike Group's deployment, visit the USS Enterprise Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USS.Enterprise.CVN.65.