USS Nitze arrives in Valletta, Malta

ByPettyOfficer2ndClass

CrytonVandiesal

Carrier Strike Group 10

VALLETTA,Malta TheArleighBurkeclass guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) arrived in Valletta, Malta, for a scheduledportvisit,March11,2023

The port visit marks the ship’s fourth in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations since departingNorfolk,July17,2022,forascheduled deployment as part of Carrier Strike Group(CSG)10

Nitze’s port visit allows the U.S. to build on its important relationship with Malta and affords the ship’s crew an opportunity toexperiencetheancientMalteseculture

“WearehonoredthatMaltahaswelcomed us to Valletta, said Cmdr Katie Jacobson, commanding officer of Nitze “This visit not only affords my crew time for rest and relaxation, but it expands their cultural horizons. We thank the Maltese for allowingustoexperiencetheirheritageandlook forward to building upon our longstanding friendship.”

Duringtheship’stimeinValletta,thecrew will explore the sights, history, cuisine, and cultureofMalta.

“I’mexcitedtoexplorethehistoricalsites relatedtothesuccessionofrulersincluding the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British,” said Electronic Technician1stClassDevinLane “Iamintrigued and want to learn more about the diverse historyofMaltawhileinteractingwithlocals andenjoyingthelocaldining.”

Prior to this port visit, Nitze participated in Neptune Strike 23.1, a vigilance activity led by Striking and Support Forces NATO, and served as anti-submarine warfare commander during French-led exercise HEMEX-ORION a four-phase program designedtostrengthenthewarfightingcapabilitiesofthemulti-nationalRapidReaction Corps-France

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron

Valletta,Malta (March 11,2023) Sailors aboard anArleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyerUSS Nitze (DDG 94),man the rails as the ship arrives inValletta,Malta,March 11,2023.The George H.W.Bush

(DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55). TheshipsofDESRON-26withinCSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers Nitze USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D.Black(DDG119).

The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard the George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Dogs”ofVFA-143,the“Bluetails”ofCarrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, andthe“Grandmasters”ofHelicopterMaritimeStrikeSquadron(HSM)46

For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF has forgedstrategicrelationshipswithalliesand partners, leveraging a foundation of shared valuestopreservesecurityandstability

HeadquarteredinNaples,Italy,NAVEUR-

NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Commandareasofresponsibility U.S.Sixth FleetispermanentlyassignedtoNAVEURNAVAF, and employs maritime forces throughthefullspectrumofjointandnaval operations

TheGeorgeH.W.BushCSGisonascheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europeareaofoperations,employedbyU.S. SixthFleettodefendU.S.,allied,andpartner interests.