in-cyprus 20 September 2024
The USS Oak Hill, an amphibious landing dock ship, arrived in Limassol on Friday, the US Navy reported.
The vessel, carrying Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), will undergo a mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR), crucial for sustaining operations in the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa areas of responsibility.
Whilst in port, US Marines will conduct bilateral training exercises with the Cypriot National Guard in Paphos and Larnaca, focusing on maintaining operational readiness.
“Sustained operations at sea are demanding and create a lot of wear and tear on the ship and its systems,” said Cmdr. Jason Nowell, Oak Hill’s commanding officer. “Conducting maintenance in Cyprus will enable Oak Hill to continue to operate at full readiness while also growing our relationships with the industrial base assisting us with repairs and the local Cypriots we meet during our stay. In turn, this will benefit future units deploying in the region.”
Oak Hill’s visit marks the first US Navy MDVR in Limassol since the USS Ramage docked in August 2023, highlighting Cyprus’s growing role in supporting US naval operations in the region.
The ship is part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, currently operating in the US 6th Fleet area of operations. Its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean aims to promote regional stability and deter aggression, amid ongoing tensions in the area.
