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Congressional Guests Meet Carter Hall Constituents in Gulf

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081109-09
Release Date: 11/9/2008 1:31:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katrina Parker, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

USS CARTER HALL, At Sea (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) welcomed congressional staffers during an oversight tour of the Northern Arabian Gulf Nov. 6.

Jay Maroney, aide to Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy; James Tuite, aide to West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd; Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Wolf, appropriations liaison, U.S. Congress; and Capt. Karl Van Deusen, Commander of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50 made up the visiting delegation. They toured the ship, received briefs on 5th Fleet missions and observed an Iraqi visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) boarding. In addition, they spoke to Sailors and Marines from West Virginia and Massachusetts who gathered to voice their concerns and opinions regarding serving in the military.

"We're not just here to take a look, we're here to see what issues may need to be addressed and take those concerns back to Washington," said Tuite. "We do understand and appreciate what military members go through during deployments and the stress they may face."

The crew members who met with the aides said the visit was a pleasant surprise.

"For them to come all the way out here and listen to what we have to say means a lot," said Seaman Keith Kelleher, a Massachusetts resident.

The visit also allowed the aides to see firsthand the role the Navy and Marine Corps are playing in current operations.

"They came to see what is going on with their states' Sailors and Marines and to find out what they're doing, what their problems are and what is going well," said Cmdr. Jeffrey Sinclair, Carter Hall's commanding officer. "This makes them better informed to take the concerns up to people who help make decisions regarding the military."

Carter Hall is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

For more news from Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.