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NEA Indonesia Comes to a Close

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080729-01
Release Date: 7/29/2008 5:24:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kim McLendon, Commander Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SURABAYA, Indonesia (NNS) -- An annual naval engagement activity (NEA) between the United States and Indonesia concluded with a ceremony on the flight deck of USS Tortuga (LSD 46) July 26.

The week-long series of exercises between the two countries included a military operations symposium, combined enterprise network regional information exchange system training, ship tours and joint medical and dental training. U.S. divers and their Indonesian counterparts staged diving and salvage operations from USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) in Surabaya Harbor, and Indonesian and U.S. Marines conducted joint amphibious landing operations on the island of Java.

Rear Adm. Nora W. Tyson, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, and Indonesian Col. R. M. Harahap, commander, Eastern Fleet Combat Task Force, each said the primary goal of the exercises was to bring the two countries' forces closer together.

"The exercises aimed to enhance the level of cooperation between the countries, especially the two navies," said Harahap. "It will promote good relationships between the two countries in a very positive way."

Tyson emphasized the advantages of joining forces and sharing experiences.

"These partnerships allow us to bring complementary forces together in order to face common challenges worldwide. Though we achieve great successes working on our own, we truly succeed when we work side by side. We need our partners to achieve our common goals."

One common goal of all the participants was to join together for a day of fun. The two countries' forces spent one day of the NEA playing games and spending time getting to know one another outside of work.

"I loved it here in Surabaya," said Operations Specialist Seaman Andrew Smith of Tortuga. "I made some great friends. The people here have treated us so well, that I'd love to come back."

U.S. ships participating in the NEA included Tortuga, Safeguard, USS Ford (FFG 54) and USS Jarrett (FFG 33).

The NEA is part of an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and several Southeast Asian nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces.

For more news from Commander Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/local/clwp/.