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Klakring Conducts Tours, Community Relations Project in Brazil

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100509-21
5/9/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael J. Scott, Commander Task Group 40 Public Affairs

SALVADOR, Brazil (NNS) -- USS Klakring (FFG 42) and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 Detachment 10 Sailors departed Salvador, Brazil, May 1, following a five-day port visit.

With a full schedule, crew members of the guided-missile frigate experienced social exchanges with the Brazilian military, a community relations (COMREL) project, a military ceremony, tours and enjoyed liberty at many sites throughout the city.

The visit began with a tour and pier side press conference with local media. Klakring's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Scott M. Smith told reporters how fortunate and honored he and the crew were to have the opportunity to be in Salvador.

"We have meetings and exercises scheduled with our Brazilian counterparts, and they are important but it's really about Sailors interacting with Sailors and meeting the Brazilian populous that help us gain the most appreciation for the country we are in,"
Smith said.

Team 42 had the chance to share goodwill with Bahians in a Brazilian navy-led COMREL project at Municipal School Fernando Presidio, located in the neighborhood of Paripe in Salvador. Crew members and 20 Brazilian sailors and marines weeded, removed debris and helped clean the school of more than 600 students.

"This community has never seen a COMREL before so it means a lot," said Brazilian navy 1st Lt. Alexandre Andrade. "The general perception of people is that the military fights criminals and performs law enforcement. It is important for them to see that there is more to it than law enforcement and fighting criminals. We provide aid and assistance to make people's lives better in the communities."

COMREL programs enable U.S. Sailors to be involved with the local community through humanitarian efforts. Many of the programs include repairing and repainting schools or hospitals, as well as providing supplies such as medical goods and hygiene products. School supplies and toys are also common goods given to the local community.

Five Sailors visited the Pan American School of Bahia where they spent three hours talking to 9-12th grade students about their Navy experiences and careers and then enjoyed a traditional Bahian lunch.

Lt. Cmdr. Brian Binder, Klakring's air boss said he was impressed with the quality of people the school was producing.

"It's great to be able to come out and share our knowledge and experiences with these kids," Binder said. "These are a great bunch of kids. The school is doing an excellent job."

"I'm very happy the U.S. Navy, and USS Klakring in particular, came out to visit us today," said Superintendent Dennis Klumpp. "Our students really enjoyed the interaction and asking questions. They walked away with a deeper appreciation for the Navy and more options for their future."

Klakring also hosted a reception for local government, business and military leaders, as well as diplomatic guests. Brazilian sailors and marines and the representatives from the Consulates of Japan, United Kingdom and Colombia were in attendance.

Tours were a staple for this port visit. Students from the Military School of Salvador, along with embassy-sponsored students and families enjoyed walking through the ship as Sailors showed off their home away from home.

One of the highlights of the port visit was witnessing the celebration of the 67th anniversary of the Brazilian marines in Salvador. The event took place on the former U.S. Naval Base "Baker," which is now home to the Brazilian marines. The marines sang their national anthem and marine corps hymn, and three companies along with a veterans group and 26-member marine band pass in review. Afterwards, a continental breakfast was served and everyone had an opportunity to mingle with Brazilian marines and other guests.

"The visit displays the exceptional warmth that we encounter throughout the world because our forbearers carried the good name of the U.S. Navy to the far reaches of the world," Smith said.

Klakring, as part of Task Group 40.0, is on a six-month deployment to South America and the Caribbean as part of Southern Seas 2010 (SS10). Southern Seas is an annual U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)-directed operation implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) and executed by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 as Commander, Task Group 40.0. Southern Seas focuses on conducting a variety of exercises and multinational exchanges to enhance interoperability, increase regional stability, and build and maintain regional relationships with partner nations. SS10 includes the guided-missile frigate, Klakring, HSL-42 Det. 10, and DESRON 40 serving as the command element.

COMUSNAVSO is the naval component command for USSOUTHCOM and is responsible for all naval personnel and assets in the area of responsibility. COMUSNAVSO conducts a variety of missions in support of the nation's Maritime Strategy, including Theater Security Cooperation, relationship building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, community relations, and counter-illicit trafficking operations.