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USS Whidbey Island Completes Port Visit to Italy

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110519-31
5/19/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Martin Cuaron, USS Whidbey Island Public Affairs

TARANTO, Italy (NNS) -- Sailors from amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed a port visit to Taranto, Italy, May 13-18.

The five-day port visit gave many Sailors and Marines a welcome opportunity to experience the local culture.

For some, simply walking on land and exploring the area were at the top of their agenda after 51 days underway.

"This was my first time in Italy," said Hospital Corpsman Apprentice Demoura Lancoln, assigned to the 22nd MEU. "The first thing we did as soon as we got off the bus was walk in the opposite direction of the crowd and look for a good place to eat."

"This was my first time visiting Taranto and it was amazing," said Seaman Alyssa Curiel. "I was really impressed with all the fine cuisine, and I'm glad I was able to visit this lovely city with some of my closest friends."

Some Sailors and Marines chose to take one of the cultural tours organized by the Whidbey Island's Morale, Welfare and Recreation program. Tour selections included visits to the countryside, guided tours of the town, and to trips to local vineyards.

"This was our first port visit of the deployment," said Cmdr. Eric Conzen, commanding officer of Whidbey Island. "It is as important to unwind sometimes as it is to train. Port visits serve to break the pattern of day-in and day-out routine on station and give Sailors and Marines the opportunity to recharge their batteries."

"The tour to the towns of Martina Franca and Alberobello are something I will never forget," said Cpl. John Goetz, assigned to Lima Battery of the 22nd MEU. "There were a lot of cone-shaped houses made of limestone built back in the 17th century. While we were there we saw a traditional Italian wedding; it was an amazing experience."

The Whidbey Island is deployed as part of USS Bataan (LHD 5) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet Command area of responsibility.