Guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) made a port visit to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, as its final port call of its 2011 deployment, Nov. 24.
This is Anzio’s seventh port visit for the deployment and her fourth in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
“The Sailors are excited to visit such a beautiful country to take in all of the sights the city has to offer,” said Anzio’s Command Master Chief Donnie Novak . “ We also have several Sailors who will take an active role in the community by volunteering their time to help at the SOS animal shelter.”
The volunteers are avid dog and animal lovers, Novak added. Community relations events give Sailors an opportunity to interact with local populations while volunteering their time and efforts.
Port visits also allow Sailors to learn about different cultures and serve as goodwill ambassadors of the U.S. Navy.
“ Visiting other countries not only gives Sailors an opportunity to experience other cultures but also to share their experiences and culture with our hosts and hopefully build lasting friendships,” said Cmdr. Nathan York , Anzio’s executive officer.
Anzio, along with the other ships of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group, will begin the journey to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., following the final port visit of the deployment.
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. [mappress] Naval Today Staff, November 27, 2011; Image: navy