USS Patriot Arrives in Port Blair
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Richard DoolinTASK FORCE 76 / EXPEDITIONARY STRIKE GROUP 7 Public Affairs
PORT BLAIR, India - The mine counter-measures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) arrived in Port Blair, India today.
During the visit Patriot Sailors will train with the Indian Navy; special emphasis will be put on damage-control and mine countermeasures training.
The crew will also participate in a community service project in which Patriot Sailors will visit an orphanage and plant tree saplings.
Patriot's field and games coordinator, Mineman 2nd Class Douglas Woods, said sporting activities had been lined up with the Indian Navy.
"In Port Blair we got a couple of things going on. First day we pull in we got a flag football game with the Indian navy and a soccer game with the Indian navy. We also have cricket lessons for all personnel that want to go out and participate in. Indian navy personnel will provide the lessons," said Woods.
Command Senior Chief Brent Tidwell is looking forward to the visit.
"The crew’s real excited about the opportunity to go to Port Blair. We’re the first minesweeper to get into Port Blair, and the first U.S warship, I guess in a few years, to go to Port Blair. It’s a big honor to be chosen for a theater security cooperation visit. It’s an opportunity to, for the two navies to get together, and build and foster a stronger relationship, a more cooperative relationship," said Tidwell.
This article was originally published at: http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2010/03-march/32.htm
(Posted Mar. 23, 2010)