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Carr Departs Baltiysk, Completing Second Russian Port Visit

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110808-07
8/8/2011

By Ensign Brian T. Lance, USS Carr Public Affairs

BALTIYSK, Russia (NNS) -- USS Carr (FFG 52) completed a two-day port visit to Baltiysk Aug. 4 as part of a three-month deployment supporting theater security cooperation engagements throughout the Baltic region.

While in port, Carr senior leadership met with Russian navy Rear Adm. Aleksandr Nosatov, commander of the Baltic Fleet Naval Base; Aleksandr Yaroshuk, the mayor of Baltiysk; and Baltiysk city officials.

"Most Americans don't have the opportunity to visit Russia once in their lives. My crew is fortunate enough to have visited twice so far this deployment," said Cmdr. Patrick E. Kulakowski, Carr commanding officer. "It is important that we get to know each other as people. Only then will we ensure future peace and cooperation between our great nations."

The U.S. Embassy hosted a reception aboard Carr for senior Russian military and civilian dignitaries. The reception was also attended by members of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and Mr. Stephan Hubler, the acting American Consulate General, St. Petersburg, Russia.

"Together our navies are patrolling the waters off the Horn of Africa to fight piracy, and our ships visit each others ports," said Hubler during the reception. "As a Russian admiral recently said, the sea unites us more than it divides us."

Carr's Sailors also conducted a community relations project at the Kaliningrad orphanage. Sailors painted gates and played a soccer game with the children.

"The project was an opportunity for me to serve people I normally wouldn't be able to serve," said Midshipman 1st Class Anna Leonard. "I think it set a positive example of America and our military."

Carr Sailors learned a little more about the Russian navy when they toured the Russian Sovremenny-class destroyer RFS Bespokovyy.

"I was very impressed by the Russian sailors and their ship," said Yeoman Seaman Timothy Crowell about the visit. "I think that the more we interact with one another, the more we realize how similar we are."

Following the tour of Respokovyy, Russian Sailors toured Carr and participated in soccer and basketball games with the American Sailors.

Carr is homeported out of Norfolk, Va., and is on a three-month deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.