U.S. Ships Visit Vladivostok

VLADIVOSTOK (NNS) -- The frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and the mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) arrived in Vladivostok July 23, to participate in celebrating Navy day.

The four-day port visit will bring Sailors from Patriot and Vandegrift together with members of the Japanese and Russian navies to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the Russian navy. Navy Day is an annual holiday in Russia that celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of the Russian Navy to the country's peace and security.

"Port visits like this provide very important opportunities for us to demonstrate our commitment to fostering growing relationships with our partnership nations," said Vandegrift's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Steven Prescott.

"We are honored to be invited here for Navy Day," said Lt. Cmdr. Walter Mainor, Patriot's commanding officer. "The United States and Russia share a common interest in promoting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and we look forward to fostering a growing relationship with our Russian counterparts."

While many Sailors look forward to enjoying the hospitality, culture and sightseeing in Vladivostok, there are several who decided to use their time to help the local community. A group of about 20 Sailors will be volunteering to help underprivileged children at the Parus Nadezhdy Rehabilitation Center and host a chess match between Vandegrift Sailors and local children.

"It's great to feel like we have made a difference for the better, to give back to the children and the community," said Mineman 2nd Class Tyler King, Patriot's community service projects coordinator.

"This is the first time most of us have been to Russia. It's a great opportunity for the crew to experience a new culture and make new friends," said Prescott.

Vandegrift is an independently deployed ship homeported in San Diego, currently deployed in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). Patriot, led by Lt. Cmdr. Walter Mainor, is currently fulfilling Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet and Mine Countermeasure Squadron 7 tasking and is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan.

Patriot Departs Cambodia after Training with Royal Cambodian Navy

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Richard Doolin, USS Patriot Public Affairs

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (NNS) -- Sailors from mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) departed Cambodia Feb. 22 after a week of training with sailors from the Royal Cambodian Navy (RCN).

Training was conducted in the classroom, on the pier and at sea.

In the classroom, Patriot and RCN sailors sat side-by-side while the theory and practice of mine warfare was explained by Patriot crew members.

"I think this class is very, very good for Cambodian Navy, because Cambodian Navy, we want to know about clearing mine underwater," said Cmdr. In Sokhemra of the RCN.

RCN sailors also toured Patriot while pierside in Sihanoukville.

"The materials in the ship are very modern, and in every room everybody is on duty and they respect their own jobs," said RCN Lt. Tim Monipisey of the tour.

Damage-control training was conducted on the pier beside Patriot and involved both cooperative, hands-on demonstrations as well as Patriot Sailors demonstrating US Navy techniques.

"Very, very good training, guys are teaching the Cambodian Navy a lot of good points on the way we fight fires, and we're learning a lot from them also on how they apply their firefighting efforts," said Damage Controlman 1st Class Arturo Chavez, lead Patriot instructor.

Chavez also noted that the RCN sailors were attentive and eager students, "you can see it, everybody wants to put on a self contained breathing apparatus, everybody wants to see the emergency evacuation breathing device and they're all curious about the extinguisher and how it works."

"This training might save somebody's life, that's the whole point," noted Chavez.

Ten RCN sailors went underway with Patriot to observe a minesweeping drill, sonar operations, and a man-overboard recovery.

"It went well despite the language barrier. I think they understood the concept, and learned a few things today about how we do minesweep operations," said Chief Mineman William Brown of the minesweeping demonstration.

RCN Lt. Chum Horn agreed, "I think that this sort of minesweeping is a good technical demonstration on how to operate on the sea."

The week of training concluded with volleyball and soccer games between the Patriot and RCN sailors.

"It was an excellent game," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Bryan Docker. "According to the score, they're definitely much better than we are. It's obvious that they're well practiced, and I appreciate the fact that they schooled us."

RCN sailors won the soccer game 6-2.

Patriot is one of four mine-countermeasures ships permanently forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. The crew reports to Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet. They are currently conducting their spring patrol throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Patriot, Lassen Arrive in Russia for Pacific Eagle

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Joshua J. Wahl, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Sasebo, Japan

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (NNS) -- USS Patriot (MCM 7) and USS Lassen (DDG 82), arrived to one of Russia’s largest port cities Sept. 24 as part of a scheduled port visit and in conjunction with the bilateral exercise, Pacific Eagle, to be conducted with the Russian Federation Navy (RFN).

Pacific Eagle consists of a series of maritime activities, to include mine countermeasures, aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region by enhancing the strategic partnership between Russia and the United States.

During the ships' stay in Vladivostok, crew members will have a chance to participate in friendship-building activities, cultural exchanges and community service events with the local population.

There will also be an in-port phase of Pacific Eagle, to be followed by an at-sea phase.

“I definitely believe in participating in this joint exercise so that both navies can learn lessons from our rich traditions and rich histories, along with promoting stability in the region,” said Patriot Commanding Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Thomas E. Shultz. “I am extremely looking forward to working with the RFN as part of Pacific Eagle.”

The Russian Pacific Fleet and U.S. Navy have a common understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea. This visit and ensuing exercise is expected to increase the level of understanding and partnership into the future, said naval leaders from both countries.

“We hope Patriot’s participation in Pacific Eagle will be a continuing trend to bring more U.S. Navy ships here for future exercises and build good relations between our two nations,” said Patriot Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Robert Y. Shu.

Patriot last visited in July 2005 and conducted a mine countermeasures passing exercise (PASSEX) with the RFN along with fellow Sasebo minesweeper USS Guardian (MCM 5).

Many of the Patriot Sailors expect to make the most of this opportunity to visit and explore the surrounding culture.

“I have heard so many good things about the traditions and history of this port so I am really looking forward to getting out and exploring,” said Yeomen 1st Class Steven L. Hood. “I am happy to be here with the Navy because I know it is an opportunity to see sites very few people get to experience first hand."

Patriot has been operating in the Western Pacific under Task Force 76, which serves as 7th Fleet’s mine countermeasures arm in forward-deployed operations from Sasebo, Japan.

Minesweepers Set for Fall Patrol

USS Patriot (MCM 7) departed Sept. 20 for a seasonal patrol throughout the Pacific region.

The underway period, set also to include USS Guardian (MCM 5), will feature regional training and diplomatic port visits to partner countries in the region.

The training will focus on enhancing interoperability and mission readiness between the U.S. and regional allies.

Highlights of those visits will be service projects, ship tours and receptions.

“The focus of this patrol is to strengthen ties, build relations, and form new friendships among partner nations,” said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas E. Shultz, Patriot Commanding officer. “These Sailors are some of the most professional in the fleet, and I fully expect them to represent this ship, the Navy and their nation well.”

Seasonal patrols, ranging from two-three months, are routine for ships in the Forward-Deployed Naval Forces.

Patriot and Guardian recently completed a spring/summer patrol, from April-July of this year, that brought them—either individually or combined—to Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei.

Due to the small nature of Patriot/Guardian, whose crew is only 80 members each, the ships are able to pull into piers not available to deep draft vessels.

For this patrol, Patriot and Guardian will again venture into areas in the region rarely visited.

Sailors aboard Patriot understand that the patrol will be challenging but are looking forward to seeing other countries, experiencing new cultures and making new friends.

“This is why I joined the Navy,” said Mineman 2nd Class (SW) John R. Golden. “I know the people back home have not seen the things that I’ve seen. The hard work pays off when you get to step foot on different countries.”

Guardian and Patriot are mine countermeasures ship forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Guardian and Patriot serve under Task Force 76, which serves as the 7th Fleet’s mine countermeasures arm in forward-deployed operations.