10.09.24

Hoeven Visits U.S. Forces at Souda Bay Naval Base; Reviews USS Cole, Defense Operations in Support of Israel

Senator Travels to Central Europe on National Security Mission

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, visited U.S. forces aboard the USS Cole, a U.S. guided missile destroyer stationed at U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay in the Mediterranean. Souda Bay is one of the only bases in the region the U.S. has access to that is large enough to accommodate aircraft carriers, providing a major military location for staging both U.S. air and naval support for Israel. The USS Cole, which was bombed in 2000 during a terrorist attack that killed 17 U.S. sailors, had just arrived to take on fuel and resupply its munitions after operating in the Red Sea against Houthi drone attacks and shooting down missiles in the recent attack on Israel by Iran. The USS Cole is currently stationed at Souda Bay Naval Base, proving the vital importance of this base to operations in the Middle East. 

“The men and women of the U.S. military are doing an incredible job helping to defend Israel against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. We were able to go aboard ship and meet with the captain and crew of the USS Cole. It is truly fitting that after having been attacked by terrorists in 2000, causing great damage to the ship and taking the lives of 17 brave Americans, the Cole is now in the fight, helping take out terrorists and supporting our vital ally, Israel,” said Hoeven. “It was beyond inspiring to meet these incredible men and women, and thank them for their great service as they were taking on fuel and weapons to return to the fight.”

While there, Hoeven also met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss the sale of F-35 aircraft to Greece, an increasingly strong ally, and also cooperation on LNG facilities to bring more U.S. natural gas to Europe. Hoeven traveled to the region with a senior delegation of U.S. Senators who work with defense appropriations and foreign intelligence. They met with government officials, civic leaders and U.S. military personnel to provide support and gain more information on U.S. efforts to aid both Ukraine and Israel. Their itinerary also included the Czech Republic, Hungary and Germany.

“In our efforts to aid Ukraine and stop Russian aggression, it is important that we work closely with NATO and fully understand what our allies are doing. That means using the military aid we are providing as effectively as possible, and insuring our allies do their part as well. We also need to understand that Russia is using energy as a weapon, not only to fund its war machine but also to weaken NATO resistance,” said Hoeven.

“For example, the Czech Republic is cooperating closely with the U.S. in its military support of Ukraine and has completely weaned itself off of Russian oil and gas. On the other hand, Hungary needs to do more to support Ukraine, and oppose both the Russian war effort and Chinese support for it. Also Hungary is continuing its dependence on Russian energy and even increasing it,” Hoeven continued.

At U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany the delegation met with General Michael Langley, AFRICOM commander, and his staff to review operations in North Africa and the Red Sea region.

In addition to Hoeven, the delegation included Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Senator John Boozman of Arkansas.

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