USS Farragut Departs Marseille, France

From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

MARSEILLE, France (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) departed Marseille, France, Oct. 26 after the completion of a scheduled port visit.

During the port visit, Farragut Sailors spent time with French dignitaries and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Mess "Ganteaume", and provided shipboard tours to various supporting organizations in France.

Quotes:

"I enjoyed learning more about the French culture through its people and historic sights. I hope to come back again!" - Quartermaster 2nd Class Alex Hitchens

"It was enjoyable visiting and experiencing the French culture after working with the French navy in the 5th Fleet area of operation." - Lt. Danny Williams, USS Farragut (DDG 99), electronic materials officer

Quick Facts:

Cmdr. Cory R. Applebee, Farragut's commanding officer, Cmdr. Megan Thomas, Farragut's executive officer, and several other Farragut officers attended a luncheon at the residence of the Commandant la Marine a Marseille, Capt. Frederic Paillat. Monique Quesada, Consul General in Marseille and other French dignitaries were also in attendance.

Farragut previously operated with the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle while in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation. Farragut's crew once again enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the people of France; this time in the beautiful city of Marseille.

Farragut Sailors participated in various Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tours of Marseilles and Avignon. Several Farragut Sailors were hosted by the French NCO Mess "Ganteaume" for a luncheon and a tour of Marseille.

Farragut, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Farragut Lends a Helping Hand to Stranded Fishermen

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jackie Hart, USS Farragut Public Affairs

RED SEA (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) and an embarked detachment rendered aid to a distressed fishing vessel in the Red Sea, Sept. 8.

Farragut Sailors and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter crew assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46 noticed the disabled boat.

Farragut's visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team approached the vessel and found three fishermen inside.

"We found a small boat that appeared to be dead in the water, and as we approached them it became apparent these men were extremely dehydrated and hungry," said Lt. j.g. Joshua Bowling, Farragut's navigator and VBSS boarding officer. "We learned they had been stranded for three days, and quickly realized how critical it was for us to provide them with nourishment and a way in which to return home."

The team provided food and water and determined what was wrong with their vessel. After discovering the extent of the damage to the motor, the team arranged to have the boat brought onboard Farragut in order to make repairs to the motor.

The next morning, VBSS team members brought the fishermen and their boat aboard Farragut. Each fisherman received a medical assessment from the ship's independent duty corpsman, a change of clothes and breakfast.

"We were able to treat these men for both dehydration and malnourishment initially with small portions of food and bottled water," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jacob Seekins, noting the men had spent the previous three days in 95-degree heat. "They were very appreciative for our services, and though a language barrier existed, it was evident they were genuinely grateful we were able to help."

Machinery Repairman 1st Class Daniel Kerby and Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jason Derks performed maintenance on the mechanical and electrical systems on the broken motor and successfully returned it to full operation.

"After reconditioning the cylinders and spark plugs and rewiring the engine correctly, both Petty Officers Kerby and Derks had the motor running great in no time," said Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Bryan Hatch, who supervised the repairs.

After determining the outboard motor was fully operational and supplying the fishermen with food, water and fuel to continue their transit, Farragut Sailors lowered the boat back in the water and bid the men safe travels back to their home.

"One of our missions here is building positive relations with local fishermen in order to protect the seas and pattern of life," said Bowling. "I am proud to have been able to help and to be able to say we positively affected the lives of others while operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations."

Farragut is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the region. The ship is homeported in Mayport, Florida.

Farragut is part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG), which is comprised of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81).

Farragut Sailors Visit Tallinn, Estonia

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class A.J. Jones, USS Farragut Public Affairs

TALLINN, Estonia (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) departed Tallinn, Estonia, following a three-day port visit, Aug. 11.

During the visit, Sailors participated in community engagement projects and experienced Estonia's rich culture.

"We were excited about Farragut's visit," said Michelle Schohn, public affairs officer for the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn. "It shows a tangible demonstration of the United States' commitment to Estonia, which is vitally important to the Estonian people."

Sailors from Farragut visited the Tondi School for Special Needs Children to interact with the students and staff, as well as restore an iron fence that surrounds the property.

"It felt really good to come out and support these kids," said Seaman Nicholas Tonello. "Visiting Tallinn was fantastic, but to be able to interact with the Estonian people on such a personal level was a real treat."

Sailors also provided shipboard tours for an Estonian youth baseball team sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to Estonia, as well as Estonian and Russian schoolchildren. The tours gave the children a chance to explore the ship with Farragut Sailors while learning about the Sailors' jobs and the U.S. Navy.

Farragut also hosted a shipboard reception during the visit for distinguished guests and foreign dignitaries, including the prime minister of Estonia, defense minister of Estonia and the U.S. charg� d'affairs to Estonia, as well as other military and civilian officials representing their countries.

"The interaction that our armed forces have had with the Estonian army and navy has been extraordinary over the past twenty years," said Cmdr. Glen Quast, commanding officer of Farragut. "The relationship that has developed over this long period has made our visit special, and I look forward to operating with the Estonian navy in the future."

Farragut is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

Farragut Sailors Strengthen Bonds in Latvia

By Mass Communications 3rd Class A.J. Jones, Farragut Public Affairs

RIGA, Latvia (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) continued to strengthen relationships with Baltic nations as it began a four-day port visit in Riga, Latvia, Aug. 4.

During the port visit, Sailors played a game of basketball against members of the Latvian National Armed Forces and participated in two community service projects.

"The city of Riga offered incredible interactions for our Sailors during the community service projects, and the basketball game was a highlight as well," said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Christopher J. Sill, Defense, Naval and Marine Attach� for the U.S. Embassy in Riga. "Latvia and the United States have a long standing partnership, and I know that Farragut's visit helped to strengthen this relationship."

The community service projects provided Sailors the opportunity to build and install new birdhouses for the Love Island Ecological Site and visit the Stella Maris Riga City Social Care Centre, a care facility for the elderly run by the government.

"It was a great opportunity to contribute to the community, meet the people and see what the culture is like," said Chief Electronics Technician Jason Howes. "It really gave us a good feeling to come help out and show our support."

Farragut concluded its visit with a reception aboard the ship.

"We would like to thank the Sailors of the Farragut for their visit," said Lt. Col. Sill. "Their visit has shown a lot of support toward a close NATO ally, and has gone a long way toward making that relationship stronger."

Farragut is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.