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John Paul Jones Visits Townsville, Australia

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070614-05
Release Date: 6/14/2007 7:26:00 AM

By Ensign Benjamin McCarty, USS John Paul Jones Public Affairs

TOWNSVILLE, Australia (NNS) -- Sailors from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) left Townsville on June 10 after enjoying five days of rest and relaxation there.

The crew’s time off was an opportunity to recharge their batteries and prepare for the U.S.-Australian exercise Talisman Saber 2007, being conducted off Australia’s north and east coasts.

While in Townsville, the crew participated in community outreach programs, soaked in the local culture, attended sporting events and interacted with the local people.

Fifty representatives from John Paul Jones and USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) experienced a traditional tribal welcoming ceremony from the Wulgurukarba, Bindal and Torres Straight Islander people, the first ever of its kind for a U.S. force. The songs and dances presented during the ceremony represented those practiced by indigenous Australian and Islander tribes more than 6,000 years ago.

“On behalf of the United States Navy, and specifically the officers and crew of USS John Paul Jones and USS Paul Hamilton, we would like to acknowledge the Wulgurukarba people, the Bindal people and the people of the Torres Strait Islands as the Traditional Custodians of the Land, and the Elders, past and present,” said Cmdr. James Housinger, commanding officer of John Paul Jones, during an address to the gathered crowd. “We are privileged and honored to be standing on your country.”

Following the presentation, Mayor Tony Mooney invited the officers of both ships to a reception in their honor at the Consortium, a local night club. Present at this reception were several city officials, members of the Townsville community, and the commander of the Australian Amphibious Task Force.

In other events highlighting the relationship between the United States and Australia, several John Paul Jones Sailors dedicated two days of the port visit assisting local organizations. The first day, 16 Sailors helped members of The Red Cross House build a fence and do yard work. On the second day, 15 crew members rolled their sleeves up and helped the Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Organization install a new water pump system for their plants.

“The day was great,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class (SW) Sara Morris. “We started by clearing weeds that had overtaken an area beside the main river they use as a fresh water supply; then we installed a water pump to move water to new plants.”

Another one of the helpers was Hull Technician 2nd Class Christopher Keister.

"I like helping out. It reflects positively on the U.S. and the Navy itself," said Keister.

While in port, Sailors also attended an Australia versus Japan rugby match.

“As Americans, we don’t get an opportunity to watch that level of Rugby in a live match,” said Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW) Robert Monforte. “It was interesting to see the differences between spectators at Australian national sports versus spectators at American national sports. The Aussies were much more laid back.”

The San Diego-based John Paul Jones, part of Destroyer Squadron 15, deployed with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in support of operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and is now working with ships of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force 76 in the 7th fleet are of responsibility. ESG 7 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.