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Kearsarge Visits Colombia, Curacao

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060917-03
Release Date: 9/17/2006 2:07:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Robert Keilman, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE, At Sea (NNS) -- The crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) made two port visits to Cartagena, Colombia, and the island of Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles from Sept. 1-10, after successfully completing PANAMAX 2006, a multinational exercise tailored toward the defense of the Panama Canal.

Both port visits were an opportunity for Sailors to participate in community relations (COMREL) projects and lend a hand in the local communities.

In Cartagena, the ship donated pallets of textbooks and other supplies to the Juan Bautista Scalibrini School, as part of the Project Handclasp program. Sailors also took some time to visit with children who were patients in a local hospital.

In Curacao, a group from Kearsarge repainted a local retirement home, while another group of chief petty officers and chief petty officer selects cleared and restored a local baseball field for children.

“I had a lot of fun,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (AW/SW) Courtney Craig, who participated in the retirement home project. “I met a lot of nice people during this COMREL project. I like knowing that I can make a difference in somebody’s life.”

Damage Controlman 3rd Class John Baida of Kearsarge’s Engineering Department also participated in the retirement home COMREL project.

“These projects help me see another part of the country,” said Baida. “Often times when we pull into a port, we only see the main attractions. Participating in these projects gives me a broader experience of the country’s culture.”

While in Curacao, Kearsarge also hosted several youth groups for tours of the ship, including the Curacao Little League baseball team, who represented the Caribbean in the 2006 Little League World Series. Curacao’s team has been to the International Semifinals five consecutive years, as well as winning the 2004 World Series.

In both ports, Kearsarge hosted receptions for local government, military and business leaders. In Cartagena, the ship welcomed U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William Wood, while in Curacao, dignitaries included the Prime Minister to the Netherlands Antilles Emily de Jongh Elhage and U.S. Consul General William Sorenson.

“These receptions give us the opportunity to get to know local officials and business owners, and pave the way for a successful port visit and future interactions,” said Kearsarge’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Joseph Sensi.

Enroute to Cartagena and while in port there, Kearsarge also conducted a professional exchange with the Colombian navy. A group of Kearsarge officers visited a Colombian ship, while several Colombian officers and crew members came aboard Kearsarge for demonstrations such as damage control, air operations and medical care.

“Everyone enjoyed the chance to learn about each other’s navy and make some new friends in the process,” said Sensi.