USS Monterey Visits Guantanamo Bay
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060518-12
Release Date: 5/18/2006 2:24:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class (SW) Katherine Favell, USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs
CUBA (NNS) -- USS Monterey (CG 61) arrived at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba May 17 for their third port visit as part of the “Partnership of the Americas” deployment.
While in port, the almost 400 crew members will have a chance to sightsee, shop and relax after almost two months at sea.
“The crew is really looking forward to this visit,” said Capt. Robert Oldani, Monterey’s commanding officer. “They have worked extremely hard on this deployment and we’re excited about the opportunity to enjoy the oldest overseas U.S. naval base in the world.”
While on deployment, Monterey has engaged in three community relations projects in Aruba and St. Kitts, successful unit level training with the other vessels in the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group, and joint forces training with Colombia, St. Kitts and Jamaica.
“Partnership of the Americas” is a chance for the U.S. Navy to enhance regional maritime security and strengthen ties through operations and exercises with Caribbean and Latin American partner nations. Oldani said the deployment has been an overall success, both in port and underway.
"The ‘Partnership of Americas’ operations have gone extraordinarily well," he said. “We’ve accomplished our mission of strengthening relationships with our partner nations through our underway training interactions at sea, and while fostering goodwill in the beautiful ports we’ve visited. I commend the Team Monterey on a job well done!”
Monterey was commissioned in 1990. The ship is 567 feet long, 55 feet wide and displaces more than 9,000 tons. The ship can reach speeds of more than 30 knots.
Monterey left her homeport of Norfolk, Va., April 4 and is scheduled to return later next week.
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