By L. K. Hewlett
The Prime Minister, Dr. The Hon. Denzil Douglas was welcomed aboard the USS Monterey Naval Cruiser by Commanding Officer Captain Robert Oldani and his crew on Tuesday.
The US Navy battleship is one of 22 sophisticated Ticonderoga Class AEGIS guided missile cruisers designed to provide air, surface, undersea and strike warfare support for the Navy.
Captain Oldani along with a few of his commanding officers gave a brief orientation and fielded questions from media houses that were invited for a tour of the ship.
“The USS Monterey is extremely honoured to be able to dock here in beautiful St. Kitts,” Captain Oldani said. “We are currently participating in a two-month long exercise called ‘Partnership of the Americas’ and are here on a goodwill port visit. More than 400 crewmembers will have a chance to sightsee, enjoy recreational activities and participate in community relations projects with the citizens of St. Kitts.”
The Monterey is part of the George Washington Carrier Striker Group, a deployment designed to enhance regional maritime security and strengthen ties through operations and exercises with Caribbean and Latin American partner nations.
St. Kitts marks the second port of call for Monterey, which left its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia on April 14 and visited Aruba from April 12-15.
“As part of our goodwill tours of the Caribbean, the crew of the Monterey always participate in community services. While in St. Kitts, our volunteer crewmembers will visit the Children’s Home and help out with painting and repairs. They will also play a friendly soccer match against a local defence unit team on Wednesday. On Thursday we will be donating about one hundred books to the local Library,” Captain Oldani said.
During a reception held on board that same evening, Prime Minister Douglas, Minister of State Nigel Carty, Superintendent of the Police Department Ivor Blake and other invited officials received commemorative plaques from Captain Oldani.
“I believe that this visit is another testimony to the strong bond of friendship that exists between the United States Government and the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis. Having the USS Monterey here is indeed a treat for our people,” the Prime Minister said. “Here in the Federation we love and enjoy our freedom, and can boast of our very strong adherence to democracy. Therefore, we cherish the relationship we share with the United States of America, to ensure that we can collaborate with each other to preserve the freedoms of our people, not only for this present generation, but for generations to come.”
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to sit at the helm of the onboard helicopter used for surveillance, logistics, and search and rescue. The USS Monterey cast off from Port Zante earlier today.
