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SYDNEY, Australia – The Arleigh
Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) departed
Sydney, Australia, April 27.
The ship -- en route to Brisbane, Australia -- arrived in Sydney April
23 for a scheduled port visit to participate in the Australia-New
Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day commemoration events and provide tours
and demonstrations of its capabilities to industry leaders.
After arriving in Sydney, Lassen embarked more than 50 passengers,
including Australian military members and civilian media personnel,
and then returned to sea in the company of a Royal Australian Navy
ship and aircraft to provide an air-warfare demonstration.
“As a whole I think it went very well. I think the crew did an
outstanding job during the demonstration,” said Cmdr. Marshall Brown,
Lassen’s commanding officer. “Working together with partner nations is
critical to ensuring peace and stability in the region.
Interoperability between our two navies is a key element of our
partnership.”
He added that Australia’s naval forces and those of the United States
have many shared traditions and a common background.
“The hospitality shown us here is indicative of the strong and
continuing relationship that exists between our two nations,” Brown
said.
As part of the exercise, Lassen’s crew demonstrated the ship’s ability
to detect and repel aircraft at long range, according to Fire
Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Kenneth Queen, a combat systems technician.
“We really displayed our engagement capabilities,” said Queen. “We
were engaging multiple aircraft at maximum range and had no technical
difficulties. It was awesome.”
On the third day in port, more than 60 Lassen Sailors marched through
central Sydney alongside members of the Australian military as part of
the ANZAC Day parade.
The Lassen Sailors received a very warm welcome from the thousands of
onlookers lining the streets, according to Operations Specialist
Seaman Recruit Andrew Hill, one of the participants.
“I’m going to remember this day forever,” he said. “I’ve never felt so
proud to wear this uniform before.”
Sailors from Lassen also participated in multiple community relations
projects (COMRELs) while in Sydney. The Hospitality in Home program,
one such COMREL, partnered numerous Lassen Sailors with local
residents for a day of cultural exchange.
Angela Gaare, one of the residents who participated in the Hospitality
in Home program, said she enjoys working with U.S. Sailors while they
are in port and thinks it provides an important morale boost.
“It’s great to give guys the opportunity to do something that they
wouldn’t expect,” said Gaare. “We know that it’s probably been a while
since you’ve seen your families.”
According to Brown, the port visit was a success, largely due to the
behavior and dedication of his Sailors.
“They absolutely met all the goals I had for them,” said Brown. “They
conducted themselves very well while in Sydney. I’m really proud of
how the crew showcased their training and the ship’s technology.”
Lassen is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and is currently operating
in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Operating in the Western
Pacific and Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the
forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with approximately 50 ships, 120
aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time.
For more information, visit the U.S. Seventh Fleet web site at
http://www.c7f.navy.mil. |
