The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that operates in the Mediterranean is coming to dock at the port of Piraeus, sending strong messages in every direction.
By Christos Mazanitis
Greece – USA are at the peak of their relations, with the ties of the two countries deepening more and more, especially after the signing of the renewed Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA).
The aircraft carrier USS George W. Bush, which has been in the Mediterranean since last September, is going to dock at the port of Piraeus next Friday, February 3, according to confirmed information from enikos.gr.
It will be the second time that this aircraft carrier will dock at a Greek port, in less than three months. The previous one was at the beginning of last October in the port of Souda, where enikos.gr had been found.
Already, according to our information, ships of the American Coast Guard have arrived at the port of Piraeus, which are proceeding with all the necessary actions to welcome the aircraft carrier and its escort.
The American “sea beast” will also accompany a Greek frigate.
With a length of 332 meters, a displacement of 100,000 tons, it can develop a maximum speed of up to 34 knotswith the ability to run continuously for 20 years without refueling, thanks to its 2 nuclear reactors.
On the deck and basements it hosts 85 F/A-18C Hornet fighters, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare, E-2C Hawkeye flying radars and HH-60H helicopters.
It was built in 2003, launched in 2007 and delivered to the US Navy in 2009. It was named after the 41st US President, George W. Bush, Sr., who was a fighter pilot in World War II.
The aircraft carrier is part of the 6th Fleet, with Rear Admiral Dennis Velez, originally from Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, as Commander of Carrier Strike Group TEN.
He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Superior Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Captain Pollard, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, is in command of the aircraft carrier.
He is a Navy fighter pilot with more than 3,000 hours in the F/A-18C/E and 1,034 aircraft carrier sorties.
