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USS Farragut Makes First International Port Visit

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080414-08
Release Date: 4/14/2008 2:21:00 PM

By Ensign Jillian Danback, USS Farragut Public Affairs

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (NNS) -- USS Farragut (DDG 99) Sailors marked their ship's first official transit into a foreign port April 11, during a routine refueling visit to this Caribbean island, one of several "firsts" for Farragut since her May 4 commissioning.

This refueling stop in the Caribbean for Farragut's crew is part of a South American transit during their Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2008 deployment, a series of multi-national maritime exercises which focus on forging relationships in an efforts to maintain security and stability throughtout the region.

"In order to protect our interests and those of our global partners, we must work closely with foreign maritime nations, and this refueling stop is an essential enabler of our future missions," said Farragut Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Scott Dugan.

Dugan expressed his gratitude for the high quality support the refueling center in St. Lucia provided.

"Our St. Lucian neighbors continue to provide outstanding logistics support for our maritime forces. USS Farragut is on her maiden deployment and I could not think of a better place for our first ever foreign port visit," Dugan said.

While in port for refueling, the Farragut's crew gave shipboard tours.

"We wanted to extend our appreciation for our St. Lucian neighbors. Their reputation as strong maritime partners is widely known and well deserved," said Farragut Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Marc Boran. "We could not pull into port here without expressing our appreciation for their continued support and camaraderie."

Farragut's stop in St. Lucia was just one of many stops during the POA deployment conducted to support the Navy's new Maritime Strategy with its emphasis on building confidence and trust among nations through collective security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.

Maritime forces are vital to the security of global trade, which is largely dependent upon the freedom of the seas explained Dugan.

"Essentially, the prosperity of commerce around the world depends upon how well we execute our jobs," Dugan said. "This visit to St. Lucia, however short, is an excellent prelude to what we will experience throughout our Partnership of the Americas deployment."

For more news from USS George Washington, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.