• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Klakring Hosts Congressional Delegation in Istanbul

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090414-23
Release Date: 4/14/2009 6:47:00 PM

By Ensigns Peter Goodman and Shannon Potter, USS Klakring Public Affairs

ISTANBUL, Turkey (NNS) -- USS Klakring (FFG 42) welcomed a U.S. Congressional delegation during a port visit to Istanbul, Turkey, April 9.

U.S. Sens. Jon Kyl of Arizona and Jeff Sessions of Alabama, and U.S. Reps. Jane Harmon of California, John Kline of Minnesota, and Chris Carney of Pennsylvania along with their staffs, made up the delegation.

While aboard, delegates participated in a reenlistment and an awards ceremony. Sessions officiated the reenlistment for Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Scott Sassaman of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and Carney administered the oath of reenlistment for Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Harry Egleston of Philadelphia.

"It was an honor to have Representative Carney perform the reenlistment; having it on board the ship while forward deployed made it that much more meaningful for me," said Egleston. "It was just a real treat to talk about our hometowns with Representative Carney."

Kyl, Kline and Harmon presented Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals to Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Shon Coffie, Culinary Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Charles James, and Culinary Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Gary Snear. Fire Controlman 3rd Class Maurice Marks, Boatswain's Mate Seaman Edward Hoffman, and Seaman Matthew Leveille were presented Letters of Commendation.

Following the ceremonies, the delegation joined Klakring Sailors, senior Turkish military personnel and local civic and business leaders on the ship's flight deck for a reception.

"The evening provided our distinguished visitors, especially the delegation, the chance to be a witness to the work and dedication of the crew," said Lt. Craig Richardson, Klakring's communications officer

"It allowed the members of Congress to experience, first hand, who they are representing back in the States."

And for the Sailors whose home states were represented, the opportunity to visit with their elected officials gave them an insight into issues facing their states and districts.

Klakring is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 14 based in Mayport, Fla., and is on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.