USS Detroit Gives Back in Jamaica

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Devin Bowser | 191220-N-DW182-1173 OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA (Dec. 20, 2019) Sailors, assigned to the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Detroit (LCS 7), play soccer with students during a community relations event held at Ocho Rios Primary School. During this deployment to the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility, USS Detroit, with embarked helicopter and USCG law enforcement detachment, will support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-drug patrols and detection and monitoring of illicit traffic in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin Bowser/Released)  

OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA

12.20.2019

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica– Sailors assigned to the USS Detroit (LCS 7) participated in two community relations (COMREL) projects during a port visit to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Dec. 20.
Sailors delivered donated sports equipment and interacted with the local children during visits to two schools.
“Through personal interactions, Sailors are able to form lasting bonds with the citizens, schools and organizations,” said Cmdr. Jimmy Lawton, executive officer. “They are able to provide services, share our customs and embrace the local culture of the host nation.”
COMREL sites included Ocho Rios Primary School and New Providence School, in Kingston, Jamaica.
While at Ocho Rios Primary School, Detroit Sailors participated in a soccer game with the children.
At both schools, sporting equipment was donated to include cricket balls and bats, soccer equipment and a ping-pong table.
“It was a humbling experience to be able to spend time with the children at the Providence School in Kingston,” said Lt. j.g. Ashanti Kennedy. “It was a lot of fun and very enjoyable. Hopefully we have the opportunity to visit again and continue to be involved.”

Lawton stated that by working alongside the citizens of the host nation, Sailors are able to obtain a better understanding of the challenges and adversities within the local community.
“This port visit was an opportunity to work in unison with the local community to build partnerships. Community relation projects such as these allow us to show that, even though we are from various parts of the world, we can come together with one common goal, ”said Lawton.
The Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Detroit (LCS 7) departed its homeport of Mayport, Florida, for the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility on its maiden deployment Oct. 31. While deployed to the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility, USS Detroit, with embarked helicopter and USCG law enforcement detachment, will support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-drug patrols and detection and monitoring of illicit traffic in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

• Date Taken: 12.20.2019
• Date Posted: 12.26.2019 08:28
• Story ID: 357221
• Location: OCHO RIOS, JM