• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Princeton Sailors Crossdeck to Canadian Destroyer

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060406-23
Release Date: 4/6/2006 6:56:00 PM

By Photographer’s Mate Airman James Seward, Fleet Public Affairs, Pacific

ABOARD USS PRINCETON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Princeton (CG 59) coordinated an exchange at sea with the Canadian guided-missile destroyer HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283) March 30.

Ten Sailors from each ship crossed decks for a day at sea with their foreign counterpart as as a way to strengthen foreign relations with Canadian naval forces.

“It is important to recognize and respect the differences and customs of our naval counterparts,” said Lt. Cmdr. Richard Dowker, HMCS Algonquin’s executive officer. “The exchange at sea reminds us that we are neighbors.”

After a brief orientation with ship coordinators, Princeton Sailors were led to the Algonquin galley where they dined on the ship’s cuisine, along with a complimentary beverage from the ship’s beer machine.

“We let the Sailors truly experience a day in the life of a Canadian Sailor,” said Ens. Lance Reeder, Princeton’s combat information officer, “but only in moderation.”

Princeton Sailors later separated into rating-specific groups and toured the ship’s spaces.

“All the Sailors seemed to really enjoy themselves,” said weapons technician Meisha Lowe. “Everyone was very responsive to what we showed each other, and I even learned a few new things.”

In addition to the crew exchange, many Sailors who weren’t involved in the exchange watched Princeton and Algonquin conduct flag hoist drills.

“Flag hoist drills are a dying art form,” said Ens. Andrea Marr, Princeton’s gunnery officer. “It’s interesting to actually see ships communicate like that.”

While most Sailors appreciated the kindness and culture of Algonquin and its crew, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Ryan Kelleher (SW) especially enjoyed the technical side of the day.

“It was a great experience to see the tactical data link setup on board the Algonquin,” said Kelleher. “It is always important to see how someone else conducts business.”

Princeton is in the middle of a two-week underway period for deck landing qualifications (DLQs), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training, and routine shipboard mastery. The Aegis-class guided-missile cruiser is homeported in San Diego.