USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Visits First Overseas Port

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Walter, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, England (NNS) -- The Norfolk, Va.-based USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) anchored off the coast of Portsmouth, England, May 26, marking the first ever overseas port call for the nation's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

Nearly 5,000 Sailors of George H.W. Bush and embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight will spend several days visiting the historic port and the capital city of London, as well as participating in the various tours offered to the crew through the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program.

"Portsmouth is the first of many port visits for this proud ship," said George H.W. Bush Command Master Chief (SW) David Colton. "The crew is excited to get immersed in English culture, try the local food, and go to London."

Colton said the expectations are high for the crew as they show the Navy's newest aircraft carrier to a foreign nation, and he remained confident in their ability to represent their country and their ship.

"I expect that every George H.W. Bush Sailor will be great ambassadors and their conduct ashore will be exceptional," he said.

The scheduled port call follows George H.W. Bush's participation in the eight-day, multi-national military exercise Saxon Warrior 11, which was hosted by the U.K.-based Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).

The guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103), assigned to the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, also arrived in Portsmouth for its first foreign port call. Both ships departed Norfolk, Va., May 11 on their first combat deployment.