USS Shoup Visits Tasmania

By Ensign Rhiannon Low, USS Shoup Public Affairs

HOBART, Australia (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), pulled into the city of Hobart on the Tasmania island state of Australia for a port visit, Feb. 15.

This is the first visit by an U.S. naval vessel since the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) visited the island in May 2008.

"Pulling into port was interesting, because it reminded many of pulling into Pugent Sound and the U.S. Northwest; where we are from," said Lt. Colin Kennedy, USS Shoup operations officer. "We look forward to interacting with the people and learning the culture in Tasmania."

Shoup will participate in community relations projects at a local high school and a children's hospital while in Hobart.

"Our Sailors are very excited to interact with the community," said Capt. Joe Nadeau, USS Shoup commanding officer. "There are some Sailors who are only participating in community service projects while in Hobart, because they loved the ones in Fremantle so much. The community response was overwhelming."

Shoup is in Australia to support the Australian International Air Show at Avalon and to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force. Also being commemorated, is the 60th anniversary of the Anzus Treaty, a defense agreement signed in 1951 by the Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.

Shoup is homeported in Everett, Wash., and is currently conducting operations in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.