USS Thach finishes port visit to Darwin, Australia
7th Fleet Release
Release Date: 5/14/2003
Lt.j.g. Michael Warner, USS Thach public affairs
ABOARD USS THACH AT SEA -- After participating in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and following more than 60 straight days underway, USS Thach (FFG 43) Sailors made a port in "The Land Down Under" at Darwin, Australia, April 30 - May 8.
"I had some of the best fishing in my life while in Darwin," said Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/AW/FMF) Gary Virdell, from Friday Harbor, Wash. "There were fish that were so big they were snapping 50-pound test line like it was thread," he said. "The fight was a blast while it lasted."
The crew rolled out the red carpet May 2 to welcome distinguished guests from Darwin with a reception on the flight deck. Some of those in attendance included the Lord Mayor of Darwin, Mr. Peter Adamson; Capt. Frank Kresse, Senior Naval Officer for Northern Australia; Cmdr. Gordon Andrew, Commanding Officer of HMAS Coonawarra; and prominent members of the Darwin community.
"A lot of time and effort went into the planning and execution for this reception. We wanted to do something nice to thank the citizens of Darwin for allowing us to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of their beautiful country," said Mess Management Specialist (SW) 1st Class Wilson Aguarin, a San Diego, Calif., native.
Thach, under the command of Cmdr. James T. Loeblein, is currently on deployment with the USS Constellation Strikegroup.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
