USS Anzio Enters U.S. 6th Fleet and Begins Journey Home

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian M. Brooks, USS Anzio Public Affairs

USS ANZIO, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) departed U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) and enters U.S. 6th Fleet AOR, Nov. 20, to make the journey to its homeport, Norfolk, Va.

Anzio, along with the other ships from the George H.W. Bush Strike Group, transited from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea by way of the Suez Canal.

"It was a fast and furious transit," said Lt. j.g. John Camp, Anzio's navigator. "It feels good to be back in the Mediterranean Sea and headed back home."

Anzio departed Norfolk May 10 and was the flagship for Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, a counter-piracy operations coalition task force, for more than four months in the 5th Fleet AOR.

"Although the Sailors are happy to be closer to home, they fully understand the deployment is not over and they must stay focused and be safe," said Anzio's Command Master Chief Donnie Novak.

Anzio is deployed as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.