USS Anzio Arrives in Zeebrugge, Belgium

As Rough As It May Seem,It's Still Steady As You Go...

ZEEBRUGGE,, Belgium (NNS) -- USS Anzio (CG 68) conducted a five-day port visit to Zeebrugge, following completion of Exercise Joint Warrior 08-1. Exercise Joint Warrior was a two week at-sea NATO exercise conducted in the North Atlantic.

Participants included more than 30 aircraft, warships, and submarines from NATO countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Turkey, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Poland and the United States.

While in Zeebrugge, Anzio hosted a reception on behalf of the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, Sam Fox. Guests included personnel from the American Embassy in Brussels and Belgian defense officials, including Belgian Minister of Defense, Pieter de Crem and Belgian Air Component Commander, Lt. Gen. Gerard Van Caelenberge. The senior U.S. Navy representative was Vice Adm. William D. Sullivan, the United States representative to the NATO Military Committee. This was the first visit of a U.S. Navy surface combatant in eight years.

For Anzio's Sailors, the five day stop in Belgium provided a quality of life port visit and their first chance to experience the culture and history in Northern Europe. Many Sailors took advantage of the excellent transportation system available to visit Brugges, Brussels, Ghent, Paris, and Amsterdam.

"I really enjoyed this port visit; the Belgians were very friendly and helpful. This was an excellent opportunity to purchase some Belgian chocolate and have some very nice meals," said Lt. j. g. Tiffany Emerson, Anzio's anti-submarine warfare officer. "I had time to see Belgium and travel to nearby Amsterdam before getting underway. It's nice to be able to explore and experience other cultures."

Anzio is the 22nd Ticonderoga-class Aegis cruiser and is the second ship to bear the name, after the World War II Battle of Anzio. Anzio is homeported in Norfolk, Va.