US aircraft carrier George W. Bush docked off the port of Piraeus in Greece on Friday and will remain there at least until Monday.

The Central Port Authority of Piraeus issued a decision prohibiting maritime traffic around the aircraft carrier until Tuesday at 14:00.

The aircraft carrier is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

The port visit enhances the NATO Alliance and allows the Sailors of George H.W. Bush CSG a chance to experience Greek culture.

“Our mission on deployment has been to work closely with our partners and NATO Allies in order to deter, and if necessary, defend the Alliance,” said Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG

“Port visits like this one provide an opportunity for us to engage with our Allies and develop meaningful relationships that make a substantive difference across our force.”

The USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier arrived at the Faliro Bay, off the southern coast of Athens on Saturday where it will remain until noon next Tuesday, as part of a planned visit to Greece.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has been in the Mediterranean for the past few months as part of several NATO and US missions to monitor the Russian navy. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, American aircraft carriers have sailed several times to Crete and the eastern Mediterranean.

There were also discussions about possible exercises with the Greek Armed Forces. A visit by Greek officials to the aircraft carrier planned on Friday was postponed due to the funeral of the F-4E Phantom II of Captain Efstathios Tsitlakidis, 31, who was killed when the fighter jet crashed into the sea during a training exercise Monday.

Aircraft Carrier George W. Bush docked at some distance from the Piraeus shore south of Athens.