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Eisenhower pulls into Naples, greets Italian media

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NAPLES, Italy — Navy Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, commanding officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (left), Navy Rear Adm. Phil S. Davidson, commander, carrier strike group eight (center), and Navy Capt. Roy J. Kelley, commander, carrier air wing seven (right), speak to local media during a port visit to Naples, Italy, July 13. Eisenhower, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) William Pittman)

NAPLES, Italy — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) arrives in Naples, Italy, for a scheduled port visit July 13. Eisenhower is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) William Pittman)

NAPLES, Italy — Sailors attached to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) wait in line to board the liberty boats during a port visit to Naples, Italy, July 13. Eisenhower is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Felicito A. Rustique)

NAPLES, Italy — Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Chris Short, attached to air department aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), communicates with maintenance personnel while conducting routine checks of the ship's catapult system during a port visit to Naples, Italy, July 13. Eisenhower, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Felicito A. Rustique)

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July 13, 2010
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Felicito Rustique, Navy Public Affairs Support Eleme

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) — Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) set anchor today off the coast of Naples for a scheduled port visit, July 13.

While Eisenhower sailors headed for the pier, a handful of Italian reporters came aboard for an afternoon media brief with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group’s (IKE CSG) top commanders on the ship’s flight deck.

Navy Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, Eisenhower's commanding officer, along with Navy Rear Adm. Phil S. Davidson, commander, carrier strike group eight and Navy Capt. Roy J. Kelley, commander, carrier air wing seven spoke to local media, answered several questions and gave them time to view the flight deck.

Davidson told the media that Naples is a personal favorite among port calls.

“This is my favorite place to be whenever we’re in the Mediterranean,” Davidson said.  “We’ve been out to sea for quite a stretch of time now and the crew’s very excited to see Italy and enjoy liberty.”

Mewbourne also shared a positive opinion regarding Eisenhower’s visit to Naples.

“The crew’s morale is very high,” said Mewbourne. “They feel they’ve had a successful deployment with many accomplishments.  Now they’re looking forward to being here and afterwards heading home. Naples is a fantastic city with many opportunities not just downtown, but in the surrounding area as well.”

 When asked about IKE CSG’s mission during its current deployment, Kelley offered some highlights.

“We flew nearly 3000 missions, the vast majority of which were non-combative in support of international security forces on the ground,” Kelley stated.  “We provided surveillance from FA-18’s and EA-6B’s and escorted convoys by ensuring paths were clear and free of improvised explosive devices and ambushes.”

Eisenhower’s visit to Naples is its final port call before heading back to its homeport of Norfolk, Va.  Eisenhower deployed Jan. 2 to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations (MSO) in the region.

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