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Saipan Delivers Stars and Stripes for Trafalgar 200

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050627-15
Release Date: 6/27/2005 6:00:00 PM

From Commander, Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Approximately 1,000 U.S. Sailors and Marines from USS Saipan (LHA 2) are participating in Trafalgar 200 commemorative events in Portsmouth, England, June 23-28.

The festival commemorates Adm. Lord Nelson and the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

“USS Saipan’s visit to Portsmouth for the Trafalgar 200 celebrations symbolizes U.S. appreciation of the time-tested relationship between our two countries," said Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. J. Boomer Stufflebeem. "The United Kingdom’s legacy as an enduring ally is indisputable, and British contributions to international operations have been and will continue to be fundamental to our shared success."

The ship and crew hosted several media outlets aboard upon pulling in port and will participate in the June 28 International Fleet Review. The fleet review will include more than 160 ships from more than 36 of the world’s navies, with Queen Elizabeth II conducting her formal review.

Participating in the celebrations provides the U.S. Navy in Europe the opportunity to promote theater security cooperation through pursuit of shared diplomatic goals and military readiness. Stufflebeem cited the importance of these theater security cooperation opportunities.

"Executing the global war on terrorism requires many forms of engagements and demands international cooperation in the pursuit of peace,” Stufflebeem said.

Saipan is participating in the U.S. Navy’s exercise Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Surge 05 – evidence of the flexibility and capability of the Navy to operate under the Fleet Response Plan (FRP). GWOT Surge 05 is an implementation of the FRP and illustrates the U.S. Navy’s capacity to operate jointly with allies and partners to strengthen maritime capabilities.

The ship and crew are homeported in Norfolk, Va.