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| MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Aug. 5, 2013) The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) prepares to arrive in Marseille, France. Harry S. Truman, flagship for the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Haraz N. Ghanbari/Released) |
This is the first time Harry S. Truman has pulled into Marseille since its last deployment in 2010 and Sailors and Marines aboard are happy to be here.
"I am really excited to be in France," said Legalman 2nd Class Sidney Williams, non-judicial punishment clerk for the Legal Department. "I have always wanted to come here. I feel like I am destined to be in Marseille. I am looking forward to having a great time here and leaving with lifelong memories."
Williams encouraged everyone to take advantage of the beautiful foreign country.
"Everyone should go out and experience this amazing culture because its not every day you could say you were in Paris one day and Cannes the next. The important thing is to appreciate the little things. I can't wait to get a bite to eat and relax," she said.
For some Sailors, their first visit to France came years after multiple deployments to other places.
"It feels good to have the opportunity to visit France," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Kevin Barnes, technician in the Airframe Shop with the Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126 "Seahawks". "I spent a majority of my career in Japan, so I've only visited a lot of Asian countries. With this being my first European port visit, I am going to soak up the sun and try the French cuisine."
Harry S. Truman is the flagship of Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG). The HST CSG includes guided-missile cruisers, USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Gettysburg (CG 64). It also includes guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84).
While in the Mediterranean Sea, HST CSG will be supporting maritime security operations (MSO) and theater security cooperation efforts. MSO are set conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.