US army ship to be based in Greece for first time in 40 years

·

The huge troop-carrying ship, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, has been deployed to Souda Bay naval base in Crete, the US 6th Fleet has announced.

It is the first time in 40 years that a US ship will use the joint US-Greece base as a homeport, Stars and Stripes reported.

The ship shifted its homeport from Norfolk, Virginia, to Souda Bay in order to conduct missions in the Mediterranean, and the waters around East, South and West Africa.

“Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams provides a new capability in the (military) theater, which enhances our interoperability with partners across the spectrum of maritime operations,” Vice Admiral Gene Black, who is a Commander of the US Sixth Fleet, says.

“The unique design of the ship fosters inter-service operations with our US Marine Corps and Special Operations communities, which improves our ability to ensure maritime security and stability.”

The ship carries a crew of about 250 and is designed to serve as a modular platform to perform large-scale logistics movements, including the transfer of troops, vehicles, and equipment from sea to shore.

The decision to base the ship in Greece was announced on Tuesday by Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, during his visit to the country.

It comes as tensions run high between NATO members, Greece and Turkey, who are at odds over energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Athenian Association of NSW honours Greek community leaders for their achievements

The Athenian Association of New South Wales recently hosted a memorable Hellenic Achievements Awards Luncheon.

Mytilenians hold memorial service in Sydney to mark anniversary of Lesvos’ liberation

The Mytilenian community gathered on Sunday, November 10 to commemorate the 112th anniversary of Lesvos’ liberation.

The Lazy Lobster returns to Brighton-Le-Sands

Beloved seafood institution The Lazy Lobster from the 1980s is making a highly anticipated return to Brighton-Le-Sands.

Professor Nikos Papastergiadis launches ‘John Berger and Me’ at the Greek Centre

On the evening of Wednesday, November 6, a crowd of over 200 gathered at the Greek Centre in Melbourne to celebrate the launch.

St Nectarios feast day celebrated with inaugural Aegina Festival in SA

The inaugural Aegina Festival, held on Saturday, celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Nectarios at the Holy Monastery of Saint Nectarios.

You May Also Like

Australia’s Greek organisations denounce conversion of Hagia Sophia into mosque

Multiple Greek associations across Australia have made public statements strongly condemning Turkey's recent decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

King Otto’s regalia on display at Greek parliament until 2073

The royal regalia of King Otto, discovered by the Ministry of Culture in 2023 at the former summer palace in Tatoi, are now on display.

Effy Alexakis and Yanni Dramitinos’ ‘Face off: Portraits’ exhibition launch overflows

Luna Studio Art Gallery played host to the launch of the photography exhibition, 'Face off: Portraits' by Effy Alexakis and Yannis Dramitinos