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USS Monterey Visits Piraeus

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110519-27
5/19/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Viramontes, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/ Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

PIRAEUS, Greece (NNS) -- Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) anchored off the coast of Piraeus, Greece, for a scheduled port visit, May 13-18.

During the visit, Monterey's crew provided tours of the ship to Daniel Bennett Smith, U.S. ambassador to Greece, and four members of the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as Greek civilian and military officials.

"This was an important port visit," said Capt. James W. Kilby, Monterey's commanding officer. "The crew did wonderfully in demonstrating to our visitors an understanding what Monterey is doing out here in the Mediterranean"

Monterey Sailors gave visitors a basic overview of the ships multimission capabilities and were able to meet with some of their states' representatives.

"I was very happy to meet Sailors from California that are stationed aboard Monterey," said Rep. Loretta L. Sanchez, of California. "All the Sailors I spoke with were so proud of their hometowns."

While in port, Sailors took ferries from Monterey to Piraeus, to see sites in Athens and explore the local culture.

"This was a good port, our Sailors got to see the Acropolis and many great sites," said Master Chief Keith Mahaffey, USS Monterey command master chief. "A lot of our Sailors have never visited these parts of Greece."

Monterey is homeported out of Norfolk and is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.