USS Harry S. Truman visits France after short OIR stint

US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) has arrived in Marseille, France, two months into its deployment to Europe and Africa.

The aircraft carrier entered Marseille on June 21 for a regularly scheduled port visit.

Truman’s France visit comes shortly after the carrier’s air wing demonstrated its breadth of capability in early June by joining the Baltic Sea drill BALTOPS from the Mediterranean and starting operation Inherent Resolve air strikes in the Middle East just a few days later.

During the France port visit, Truman sailors will have the opportunity to take part in cultural and sightseeing events, and the ship will also host a reception for approximately 350 guests and crewmembers.

“We look forward to the opportunity to enhance US-French relations during this visit,” said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8 Rear Adm. Gene Black. “France is our oldest ally. This visit reinforces our common goals for a stable, secure and prosperous Europe, as well as allowing our sailors and our hosts in Marseille to gain a greater understanding and cultural appreciation for one another.”

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group entered the US 6th Fleet area of operations April 18 and is composed of Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51).

Two other US Navy ships made port calls in Europe on June 21, the US Navy has announced. Guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) arrived in Palma, Spain, and destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) visited Haifa, Israel.