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USS Paul F. Foster visits Qingdao, China

7th Fleet Public Affairs

Release Date: 11/25/2002

USS Paul F. Foster public affairs

QINGDAO, China -- USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964) arrived here Nov. 24, becoming the first U.S. Navy ship to visit mainland China since March 2001.

The Spruance class destroyer's visit signals the beginning of several military-to-military exchanges with China planned to take place over the coming months and is evidence of progress made by the administration's continued improvement in the Sino-American relationship.

Foster's commanding officer, Cmdr. Chuck Nygaard, is scheduled to meet with Vice Adm. Ding Yi Ping, China's Commander, North Sea Fleet, and also the Mayor of Quingdao.

According to Nygaard, the visit is of particular importance in the developing relationship between the two country's navies.

"Anytime you bring together the navies of two great nations it's a significant event," he said. "We value this opportunity to visit such an important Navy port, and we are looking forward to enjoying some great hospitality by our Chinese hosts."

Lt. Cmdr. Mike Brown, U.S. Navy spokesman for Battle Force Seventh Fleet, confirmed that Foster has been participating in recent battle group exercises and said this port call is a method of further developing mutual respect between the U.S. and Chinese navies.

"Although the USS Blue Ridge [LCC 19] visited Shanghai last year, this is the first visit to Qingdao since the USS Chancellorsville's [CG 62] visit in August 2000." Brown said "Everyone benefits from a port call like this one because it promotes greater understanding between our two navies and it's fun for the Sailors too."

Forward deployed from Everett, Washington, more than one-third of Foster's Sailors have scheduled a trip to the Great Wall of China and various other sightseeing locations, affording the crew an opportunity to interact with local citizens. Also while in Qingdao, the crew plans to enjoy recreational activities such as a basketball game and tug-o-war contest with the Chinese Sailors, boosting morale between the two nations' maritime forces.

The Foster is a highly versatile multi-mission destroyer, capable of operating either independently or with amphibious assault and aircraft carrier task forces with primary missions including, the prosecution of both surface and subsurface threats. As a strike platform, Foster is equipped with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to attack land targets. Foster's other offensive assets include Harpoon anti-ship missiles, five-inch guns, and ship or helicopter launched torpedoes.

Foster is approximately 563 feet long, travels over 30 knots and has a displacement of 9,200 tons. The ship has a complement of nearly 320 crewmembers and has been in service for 27 years. The ship is completing a six-month deployment and is scheduled for decommissioning in March 2003.