Adm. Mark Ferguson, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, visited U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay on October 23 for the first time since taking command in July.
During the all hands call Furguson imparted on Sailors the importance of their mission in Souda:
You represent the United States Navy and the United States to the people of Crete and to Greece, I want to thank you for how you conduct yourselves and how you represent our country.
Souda is an important logistics point to support the ballistic missile defense ships destined to defend Europe and our allies in the region both from a logistics stand point as well as a maintenance and support stand point.
He also spoke of the vital support Sailors receive from Hellenic forces that enable the U.S. Navy to operate forward.
We rely on Souda Bay for supporting our forces forward and we rely on the support and hospitality of the Hellenic Navy, Air Force, the Army and Greek nation for our ability to operate from here.
They’re vital NATO allies and their support is very important.
After speaking with Sailors about the role NSA Souda Bay has supporting the warfighter, Ferguson answered questions from Sailors.
During his visit, Ferguson also toured the NATO Maritime Interdiction Training Center and met with Vice Adm. Evangelos Apostolakis, chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff.
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
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Press release, Image: US Navy