Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class David Smart | Capt. Lowell D. Crow, commanding officer of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship...... read more read more
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CARIBBEAN SEA — Sailors and Marines from Task Group 40.7 aboard the multipurpose amphibious ship USS Wasp welcomed Isaiah Parnell, the Chargé d'Affaires, deputy chief of mission for the United States Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, as well as Lorna Golding, wife of Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Parnell and Golding arrived onboard Wasp via a CH-53E Super Stallion at approximately 12:30 p.m. to observe Wasp's Southern Partnership Station interoperability concept, and to discuss community relations events Wasp undertook in Jamaica. Wasp sent more than 50 personnel and 44 pallets of medical, medicinal and hygiene supplies to the island nation, Nov. 19 — 20, as the ship steamed just off the coast.
The possibility of future interaction between Wasp and the people of Jamaica was also addressed during the visit.
"This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the unique contribution the amphibious Navy and Marine Corps team is making in the region and to demonstrate the professionalism of our Sailors and Marines," said Wasp commanding officer, Capt. Lowell D. Crow. "The United States continues to enjoy warm relations with Jamaica, and we discussed the likelihood of Wasp coming back once a berthing could be secured for the ship."
The distinguished visitors were given a tour of Wasp and treated to lunch. The two parties exchanged gifts and promised to continue to foster the strong bond between the two nations before the Jamaican delegation flew back.
Isaiah Parnell's U.S. State Department biography states that he assumed the position of Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, Kingston in August 2009. He is a member of the Senior Foreign Service and holds the rank of Minister Counselor. He most recently served as the Minister Counselor of Management Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City from 2006-2009.
According to the U.S. State Department, Jamaica is home to more than 2.6 million people spread out over the island's 4,200 square miles. The United States maintains close and productive relations with the government of Jamaica, and is Jamaica's most important trading partner. In addition, some 10,000 American citizens, including many dual-nationals born on the island, permanently reside in Jamaica.
Wasp is currently deployed on SPS-Amphib 2009 with Destroyer Squadron 40 and embarked Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force. SPS is part of the Partnership of the Americas Maritime Strategy that focuses on building interoperability and cooperation in the region to meet common challenges.
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.23.2009 05:15 |
| Story ID: | 41907 |
| Location: | USCENTCOM, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 412 |
| Downloads: | 347 |
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