US, French Aircraft Carriers Dock at Souda Bay, Crete

US and French aircraft carriers Dwight D. Eisenhower and Charles de Gaulle docked at Souda Bay on Crete which has become an important naval base for NATO forces operating in the Mediterranean.

The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower of the US 5th Fleet is operating in support of freedom of navigation through Operation Prosperity Guardian and self-defensive strikes into Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

“We are incredibly grateful to Greece for hosting us during our very first port visit of the deployment,” said commander Rear Adm. Marc Miguez. “The Sailors of Carrier Strike Group Two have worked tirelessly for six months straight to keep us operating on station in the most challenging, dynamic combat environment the Navy has seen in decades. This port visit is well-deserved.”

This port visit was the IKE’s first stop since deploying to the US Naval Forces Central (NAVCENT) and US Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) areas of operations. IKECSG units departed their homeports of Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida, on Oct. 13 & 14 for a scheduled deployment.

During their time in Souda Bay, sailors experienced Greek culture, explored the region, enjoyed local cuisine, and volunteered in the community to build regional relations.

“We are here to support our forward-deployed forces with everything from resupply and physical security to a much-needed port call for our shipmates that have been out to sea and in harm’s way,” said Cmdr. James Kotora, executive officer, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay.

“For the Mighty Ike, with their extension at sea, we want to make sure their time here in Souda Bay is relaxing and rejuvenating.”

French Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier docks at Souda

Meanwhile, the French Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, arrived at NATO pier K14 at Marathi, in Souda Bay on Thursday.

The carrier will remain at in the Chania region until May 7, to participate in the mission Aquila, a NATO deployment of 15 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Powered by two nuclear reactors, the 261.5-meter-long ship is carrying a crew of 1,350 people, among other cutting-edge weapons and navigational technologies.

The last time the French carrier was hosted in Souda was in February 2023.

The ship, commissioned in 2001, is the tenth French aircraft carrier, the first French nuclear-powered surface vessel, and the only nuclear-powered carrier completed outside of the United States Navy. She is named after French president and general Charles de Gaulle.

The ship carries a complement of Dassault Rafale M and E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, AS365F Dauphin Pedro, EC725 Caracal and AS532 Cougar helicopters for combat search and rescue, as well as modern electronics and Aster missiles.