Commander of U.S. Central Command Visits USS George H. W. Bush

The Commander of U.S. Central Command, accompanied the Sailors of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as it transited the Strait of Hormuz, July 15.

Marine Gen. James N. Mattis embarked the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, visited with crewmembers and expressed his appreciation for their efforts in the region conducting maritime security operations and supporting Operation New Dawn.

“The United States has critical interests in the continued safety and security of free trade in this region,” said Mattis. “The professionalism of the Sailors aboard the George H.W. Bush is testimony to our military commitment to ensuring those interests are protected.”

“We can expect our nation to continue a presence in and near the Gulf for years to come,” Mattis told the Bush crew. “The U.S. and our partners have a long history of cooperation and support for security and stability in the region.”

George H.W. Bush is on its first operational deployment conducting maritime security operations and supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

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Source: navy, July 18, 2011;