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USS Curts Supports Theater Security Cooperation in Lima, Peru

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060928-05
Release Date: 9/28/2006 3:45:00 PM

From USS Curts Public Affairs

CALLAO, Peru (NNS) -- USS Curts (FFG 38) pulled into Lima, Peru, in mid-September for a four-day port visit to the country.

During the visit, the men and women aboard Curts participated in several activities, including a community relations (COMREL) event, a Project Handclasp donation and a dinner reception with the Peruvian navy and U.S. embassy.

Each event is tied to Theater Security Cooperation (TSC), which is focused on fostering military-to-military contact with regional maritime forces. TSC is a primary mission for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO), which maintains operational control of ships deploying to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

“I was particularly proud of the crew and how they represented the United States in Peru,” said the ship’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. William DeBow. “What we were able to do in port in Lima, along with seeing a beautiful country, helped us strengthen important partnerships and learn more about the region.”

The ship hosted a dinner reception with the U.S. Embassy and Peruvian navy representatives, which afforded an opportunity to meet and talk with Peruvian regional maritime forces.

During one of their days in port, 19 Sailors from the ship volunteered to clean and repaint a local boys and girls club in Callao. The Brother Thomas Helm Center is a social concern center that promotes the fundamental development of children and teenagers who are in situations of extreme poverty and street risk. More than 150 children, ranging from ages seven to 18, take refuge in the center.

A Project Handclasp donation was also made, which included made items for the Asociacion Stella Maris, a charity organization that works closely with the Peruvian navy and U.S. embassy. The Project Handclasp goods were transported by the ship from San Diego and included medical and hygiene supplies, as well as athletic equipment.

“Interacting with these children who have been exposed to grave circumstances is a very rewarding experience," said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Christopher Odum, who helped spearhead both the COMREL and Project Handclasp events. "Helping clean up the school and donating goods to Asociacion Stella Maris will make a big difference in the lives of the children in Peru.”

Curts, homeported in San Diego, along with its embarked SH-60B helicopter detachment, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) 49, is deployed for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command as part of a Joint Inter-Agency Task force conducting counter-narcotics trafficking operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.