USS New Orleans Completes First Port Visit in Support of SPS 2010

By Lt. j.g. Ryan de Vera, Amphibious Squadron 5 Public Affairs

USS NEW ORLEANS, At Sea (NNS) -- USS New Orleans (LPD 18), along with Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, and other embarked units departed Manzanillo, Mexico, June 22, after completing a successful port visit in support of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2010.

SPS is a deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility in Latin America. The mission's primary goal is information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region. SPS provides the opportunity for joint operations between partner nations, which develops and tests participating regional civil and maritime services' capabilities to respond to a wide variety of maritime missions while keeping vital lines of communication open between regional services.

"Our Sailors and Marines had an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas while strengthening ties with our Mexican military counterparts," said PHIBRON 5 commodore, Capt. Peter J. Brennan, SPS mission commander. "The training in which we engaged will continue to solidify the foundation for global security and prosperity."

Brennan, along with Cmdr. Jeffrey L. Oakey, New Orleans' commanding officer, met with Vice Adm. Arturo Bernal Carrasco, chief of staff for Mexico's Pacific Fleet Command, on the first day in port and exchanged plaques.

"We are very glad to have you here in Manzanillo," said Bernal Carrasco. "It's going to be a very good experience to have the opportunity to work with [U.S. Sailors and Marines]."

Brennan and Oakey also had an office call with Vice Adm. Jaime Mejia Michel, Mexico's Naval Region 6 commander, and participated in a gift exchange as well.

While in Manzanillo, subject matter experts from the U.S. and Mexico participated in forums over several days to discuss various topics such as surface ship maneuvering, damage control and basic amphibious operations. The officers of New Orleans hosted Mexican junior officers in the wardroom aboard ship.

"It was a pleasure interacting with the Mexican naval officers," said Lt. j.g. Aaron Womack, Combat Information Center officer. "I was not only able to share my expertise in amphibious boat control, but I gained some valuable insights from them as well."

More than 100 Sailors and Marines also participated in a community relations project and helped restore a school and cleaned a retirement center. Service members along with Mexican sailors and marines painted buildings, repaired roof shingles, and interacted with the children and elderly.

"It was a very humbling and heart-warming experience, especially because I have a daughter," said Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Jose Mayoral-Navarro, who participated in the school renovation. "I'm glad I was able to be a part of this project; I hope the locals will benefit from our help."

Other events included ship tours for senior naval officers, local police and port authority officials. Tours of the city and small communities were also offered to Sailors and Marines.

"Our Sailors and Marines were able to take advantage of the great culture and hospitality Manzanillo had to offer," said Oakey. "Each Sailor and Marine is an informal ambassador of the U.S. while on liberty, and everyone did a great job enjoying themselves and representing our services and the U.S. This is all part of the SPS mission, and we are ready to continue our success throughout the remainder of deployment."

Service members from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay are deployed with New Orleans to enhance the interaction between those partner nations and the U.S. Navy. New Orleans, with PHIBRON 5 and other embarked units, are scheduled to visit Callao, Peru; Bahia Malaga, Colombia; and Balboa, Panama during the three-month deployment.