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VLADIVOSTOK, Russia – The
officers and crew of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser
USS Cowpens (CG 63) arrived at Vladivostok, Russia May 7 for a
scheduled port visit.
While in Vladivostok, the Cowpens’ crew of approximately 400 Sailors
will engage in activities with the local community, including
community relations events involving children and veterans, and
military exchanges with Russian navy counterparts. The port visit
was timed to coincide with the 64th anniversary of “Victory in
Europe” (V.E.) Day.
V. E. Day commemorates the day Allied forces defeated Nazi Germany
on May 8, 1945. Cowpens will represent the United States’ role in
the victory by participating in a parade and laying a wreath of
flowers at a memorial.
Cowpens Commanding Officer Captain Holly Graf said she and her crew
are excited to be in Russia. They are looking forward to enjoying
the cultural exchange with the local community and experiencing the
rich culture Vladivostok offers.
“This visit is the first time many of Cowpens’ Sailors have been to
Russia and I know each and every one of them have been looking
forward to this historic visit,” said Graf.
Graf says this visit is also indicative of the commitment to peace
and stability the two nations share.
“The Russian Pacific Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet have a common
understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea,”
Graf said. “This visit helps to advance the level of understanding
between the Russian and US Sailors. Our time spent in Vladivostok is
demonstrative of our desire to restore a strong and continuing
relationship between our two nations”.
COWPENS is assigned to the George Washington Carrier Strike Group/
Commander, Task Force 70 which is forward deployed to the U.S. 7th
Fleet and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. |
