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| USS Green Bay (Image: Wiki Commons) |
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Derek Harkins
DARWIN, AUSTRALIA (NNS) – The amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrives in Darwin, Australia, July 27.
The ship will make preparations for continuing operations at sea while onloading members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and their equipment as they return from Talisman Sabre 2015 operations.
The MEU has spent 16 days away from Green Bay while conducting bilateral field exercises in the region.
Green Bay’s crew will have the opportunity to explore the Darwin-area during evening liberty and engage in Morale, Welfare and Recreation tours.
The ship’s port visit coincides with its completion of Talisman Sabre 2015. During this bilateral exercise, members of the 31st MEU and the Australian Defence Force successfully conducted a beach landing in Australia from Green Bay’s well deck in 32 combat rubber raiding craft.
Green Bay supported the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) with intelligence and communication, in addition to aviation and well deck support for a variety of training scenarios and mission requirements.
“Talisman Sabre 2015 was more than an amphibious exercise for Green Bay,” said Capt. Kristy D. McCallum, commanding officer of Green Bay. “We sharpened our maritime warfare edge in air defense, information dominance, and surface warfare. Green Bay Sailors embraced the training and support provided by the guided-missile destroyer, USS Preble and the Royal Australian Navy frigate, HMAS Perth and that has made us better war fighters. Our next mission is the 31st MEU backload and liberty inport Darwin. I know the Sailors are looking forward to their next Australia experience in Darwin and will enjoy their time ashore.
Green Bay is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard ESG and is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Talisman Sabre is a bilateral exercise intended to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined task force operations.