British Royal Navy sailors tour USS Wasp

Photo By James Smith | British Royal Navy Petty Officer Marine Engineer Elliott Watson, a refrigeration engineer with the HMS Lancaster, looks through the viewing display of a Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile during a tour aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) while out at sea April 30, 2015. U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy Sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., participated in Navy Week 2015 in New Orleans April 23-29 and Fleet Week Port Everglades, Fla., May 4-10. The purpose of Navy Week was to showcase the strength and capabilities of the Navy-Marine Corps team through tours, static displays and community relations events, providing the public the opportunity to meet and interact with Marines and Sailors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James R. Smith/Released)  

AT SEA

04.30.2015

Story by Sgt. James Smith 

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

AT SEA - U.S. Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and U.S. Navy Sailors with the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) invited British Royal Navy sailors from the HMS Lancaster to tour the ship while out at sea April 30, 2015.

During their visit, Royal Navy sailors were able to tour the ship and view static displays Marines prepared showcasing several of their vehicles and weapon systems within their arsenal.

“I can’t believe the Marines have this much equipment,” said British Royal Navy Petty Officer Marine Engineer Elliott Watson, refrigeration engineer with the HMS Lancaster. “This is the first time I’ve ever been on an amphibious craft before and I was amazed at everything the Marines are capable of performing.

“My favorite vehicle has to be the (landing craft, air cushion) because you’re able to load a tank on it,” said Watson. “It’s more so the fact that I’m an engineer and I love that sort of stuff.”

Marines also took advantage of the visit by asking their guests questions about their country, branch of service and just having the opportunity to interact with them.

“It’s a lot fun being able to work with people from different services of different countries,” said U.S Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Byrd, an anti-tank missileman with the 22nd MEU. “I learned a lot from them, plus it’s great teaching other people what I know.”

Once the Royal Navy sailors finished viewing the Marines’ static displays, they continued their tour with the U.S. Navy Sailors aboard the ship.

“It’s quite a rare opportunity to see what other countries do,” said Watson. “You guys do things slightly different from us, but the overall mission is the same.”

• Date Taken: 04.30.2015
• Date Posted: 05.01.2015 22:22
• Story ID: 162028
• Location: AT SEA