By Ensign Tim Boston, USS Carr Public Affairs
USS Carr (FFG 52) returned home May 24, after a two-month deployment to the Western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.
Carr was underway conducting Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) events in the Caribbean, and made port calls in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"The combination of Theater Security Cooperation and good liberty in the warm tropical sun of the Caribbean has made a very positive impression on Carr Sailors, and I believe the local populations of these countries we visited were glad we did," said Cmdr. Mark V. Metzger, Carr's commanding officer.
Highlights of the deployment included interaction and training with the Barbados Coast Guard, two community relations projects and multiple Navy-to-Navy engagements.
The deployment culminated in Carr's participation in Caribbean Navy Days 2008 in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles with the Colombian, Dutch, British, French, and Trinidadian navies.
Hosted by the Dutch Navy, Dutch Royal Marines and Netherlands Antilles Coast Guard. Caribbean Navy Days consisted of ship tours, aerial and small boat demonstrations, live music from the Dutch Royal Marine Band and local steel drum bands, a seven-mile run around Willemstad and a parade of ships into the Curacao harbor for thousands of tourists and locals to watch.
"I'm always quite impressed by the camaraderie and genuine fellowship between professional naval forces such as these gathered here," said Metzger. "Together we showed the people of Curacao what we bring to the table in defense capabilities, but moreover the strategic importance of our presence here."
In Barbados, Carr participated in several events to improve interoperability with the Barbados Coast Guard. Lt. Chris Locher, Carr's Combat Systems officer, spoke to Barbados Sailors about U.S. Navy visit, board, search and seizure tactics and discussed differences between his experiences in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea and the Barbadian Coast Guard's experiences conducting counter-illicit trafficking missions in the Caribbean.
"It is a great opportunity to share experiences with Sailors who conduct the same types of operations, but have a different perspective," said Locher.
Also in Barbados, Carr Sailors delivered two pallets of Project Handclasp toys and medical supplies to the Needy Children's Charity, a local charity in Bridgetown, Barbados. Project Handclasp, an aid organization that collects and delivers donations from the United States to children in need around the world, provided the supplies for Carr Sailors to deliver and distribute.
In Trinidad, 30 Carr Sailors participated in a community relations project repainting the exterior of the Cocorite Government Primary School, a primary school outside of Port of Spain, Trinidad. The school consists of 160 students, ages five to 15. Although they had the day off from school, many students came to observe the Sailors painting their school.
"My grandfather is from Trinidad and my friend's mother is from here as well," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Christopher Rainer. "I enjoy giving back and showing that America is here to do good [things]. Talking to the locals, I know they appreciate us being here."
Projects, such as those in Barbados and Trinidad, foster goodwill between Sailors and the local community and allow Sailors to interact with locals and leave a positive impression long after they leave.
Carr visited the U.S. Virgin Islands for supplies and liberty, and visited GTMO to refuel, restock provisions, and conduct Force Protection Training in preparation for a Force Protection Initial Assessment Qualification.
