Forward-deployed Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) arrived in Newcastle, Australia for a port visit, Sept. 25.
“It is an honor to be afforded the opportunity to represent the United States Navy in a contingent of over twenty international warships that will join the Royal Australian Navy in one of the their most significant commemorative events in 100 years,” said Capt. Patrick Kelly, commanding officer of Chosin. “I am especially excited for Chosin’s Sailors, as this will be for many, a once in lifetime experience.”
While in Newcastle, Sailors will be preparing for the International Fleet Review to be held in Sydney, Australia Oct. 3-11. The event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the entry of the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet into Sydney.
As part of the event, Chosin will be participating in a number of multilateral-fleet-training exercises to be conducted along the coast of Australia. Additional festivities will include a combined navies parade, public ship tours and a pyrotechnic display and lightshow.
“I think this will be the highlight of deployment thus far, and I’m looking forward to the chance to learn about foreign navies,” said Fire Controlman 1st Class, Kermit Wink. “I’m excited that we will get to interact with people from other cultures and act as ambassadors of our country.”
Chosin is currently operating in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility conducting exercises, port visits and operations to enhance maritime partnerships and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
[mappress] Press Release, September 26, 2013; Image: Navy