Military

USS Fort McHenry Deploys

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071017-01
Release Date: 10/17/2007 12:06:00 PM

From Second Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) deployed from its homeport in Little Creek, Va., Oct. 16 as part of the Navy’s Global Fleet Station (GFS) initiative.

GFS is a new, multinational concept designed to promote maritime security and build prosperous relationships with surrounding nations and provide a stronger naval presence. The idea is to provide a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale.

Fort McHenry will remain on station in the Gulf of Guinea region and make repeated visits to multiple nations in concert with other U.S. Navy and partner assets. Current plans include visits to Senegal, Liberia, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe, while engagement opportunities with several other African nations are also being explored. This new concept of engagement the is called the Africa Partnership Station.

The Whidbey Island-class ship, commanded by Commander Martin L. Pompeo, is named for the historical fort in Baltimore. Fort McHenry was commissioned Aug. 8, 1987, and has a crew of more than 350 Sailors.