U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on June 28, to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary.
Calling on Halifax, Ike was accompanied by guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto, guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill and replenishment ship USNS Robert E. Peary.
This port visit honors the sesquicentennial of the signing of Canada’s Constitution Act, known as Canada 150.
“It is truly an honor for the United States Navy to visit Halifax to join in a maritime celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday,” said Rear Adm. Jim Malloy , commander, CSG 10. “This is a testament to the value we continue to place upon this remarkably enduring bilateral relationship. I personally have been blessed to work closely with the Royal Canadian Navy across my career and am excited to return to the beautiful city of Halifax.”
The ship’s visit marks the first time a U.S. aircraft carrier has visited Halifax since 1998.
U.S. Navy ships and sailors are scheduled to participate in a series of celebratory events including participation in the Canada Day parade, volunteering in a Habitat for Humanity project, and the U.S. Fleet Forces Band performing as part of the Royal Nova Scotian International Tattoo.
Ike, along with CVW 3 and ships assigned to CSG 10, returned from a successful seven-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation, Dec. 30. While deployed, they conducted maritime security operations and coordinated theater security cooperation efforts and missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over Iraq and Syria. The ship has since remained the surge carrier during the sustainment phase of the Operational Fleet Response Plan (OFRP).