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Fitzgerald Participates in China's International Fleet Review

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090424-09
Release Date: 4/24/2009 2:06:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew R. White

USS FITZGERALD, At Sea (NNS) -- The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) participated in the 2009 International Fleet Review (IFR) celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) April 20-23.

Fourteen nations sent 21 warships to participate in the IFR, held in Qingdao, People's Republic of China, including the United States, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, France, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Fitzgerald's crew participated in information sharing, sporting events, ship tours, area sightseeing, and a joint navy band concert. The ship also received a visit from the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughhead, before the culminating event of the IFR, a pass and review that saw all 21 ships anchor off the coast of Qingdao for review by the PLAN Luzhau-class guided-missile destroyer Shijiahuang (DDG 116).

"Planning for something like that is always a little difficult," said Capt. Charlie Williams, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. "But the execution went very well and the Fitzgerald did a great job. She was exactly on line and that was good to see."

The IFR offered the Fitzgerald and its crew a chance to work and interact with many nations from all around the world.

"The Fleet Review was a great experience because of the other navies that were there," Williams said. "It was a very positive experience."

Quartermaster 1st Class Marc Morency took part in a conference about the navigation of modern naval ships with nine of the participating navies.

"It was interesting to see how other navies do business," said Morency. "It was the similarities I found most interesting, and that we've arrived at them independently of each other."

Working with the PLAN during the IFR was a rare opportunity to increase the relations between the two navies.

"These events are singular in nature," said Williams. "But when they happen and they can build upon each other then you do develop relationships," he added.

Williams explained that just because two nations may not see eye-to-eye on every decision doesn't mean they can't work together on the sea.

"That's something that doesn't happen overnight, though. It happens through the course of years. And it happens through the course of two navies showing respect for each other," he said.

Fitzgerald is assigned to DESRON 15 and operates as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan. The U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. Fleets, with approximately 60-70 ships, 200-300 aircraft, and 40,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to it at any given time.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/.