WICHITA, KS (March 4, 2024) – Sailors assigned to the Freedom-Variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) visited their ship’s namesake city March 4-8, 2024.
During the visit, Cmdr. Brett Ringo, USS Wichita’s Commanding Officer, Senior Chief Christopher Kemp, Lt. Cmdr Samuel Gasbarre, Lt. Katelyn Sargeant, Operations Specialist Senior Chief David Sanders, Engineman 1st Class Matthew Hausker, Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Tyler McElroy, Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Rosario Ventura Colorado, Mineman 2nd Class Christopher Riveral, and Mineman 3rd Class Brayden Berry represented USS Wichita by attending and participating in school visits, a hospital visit, meeting local citizens and prior service members, and touring attractions in the Wichita area.
Highlighting the trip, the ten Sailors attended a Wichita Thunder Hockey game at Intrust Arena where the Commanding Officer dropped the puck for the first face off.
“It was an amazing experience with the most welcoming of people, said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Rosario Ventura Colorado.” “I am truly grateful to the great citizens of Wichita, especially the members of the American Legion who were incredibly generous and full of sea stories.”
During the trip, the Sailors visited Wichita Northwest, East, and Norton High Schools, where they had an opportunity to talk about their experiences in the Navy and inspire the next generation to think about joining. A few sailors even had the opportunity to visit Chisholm Trail elementary school where just about every kids said they wanted to grow up to be the captain of a warship.
“Wichita was a fantastic experience and full of history," said Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Gasbarre. “I was very excited about Doc, one of two remaining B-29’s that are air worthy. I also really enjoyed spending time at the children’s hospital getting to know the patients and their families”.
The Sailors were given personal tours of Cowtown, The B-29 Doc, Sedwick County Museum, and Veterans Memorial Park. This was a very special experience because they were able to see the USS Wichita CA-45 exhibit at the museum and the memorial for her at the park, honoring all the sailors who sailed on the USS Wichita before LCS 13.
“It was an honor to represent the crew of USS Wichita during our namesake visit to Wichita, KS. The hospitality of the people of Wichita was truly remarkable," said Command Senior Chief Christopher Kemp. “This experience reinforced our commitment to representing not only the city but also great nation, as we learned about its rich history and pride. The ship shares that same pride and has adopted Wichita’s history as its own. I am truly humbled and grateful for the warm welcome and inspiration from such a welcoming community.”
On the final evening the Wichita Area Navy League hosted a banquet for the crew with members coming from all over the Wichita community. The ships sponsor, Mrs. Kate Lehrer, presented Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Tyler McElroy and Mineman 2nd Class Christopher Riveral with $2,000 scholarships towards higher education. The USS Wichita is incredibly grateful for the Lehrer family and their continued support for the crew, as they intend to award scholarships to Sailors annually.
“Our visit to Wichita, Kansas, was nothing short of remarkable. Surrounded by incredibly friendly people immersed in a vibrant community spirit, our time spent reignited our sense of purpose and strengthened the bond between our ship and the heartland of America," said Cmdr. Brett Ringo. “Wichita welcomed us with open arms, reminding us of our enduring power of community and the importance of fostering meaningful connections. This experience has not only enriched our journey but has also reinvigorated our relationship with the city that bears our name.”
USS Wichita (LCS 13) commissioned on Jan. 12, 2019, and intends to continue to visit the ship’s namesake city after the great success of this trip and anticipate it will become an opportunity that our Sailors look forward to.
LCS class ships are designed to defeat growing threats in the coastal water space. They are lethal, adaptable, and mission focused. The U.S. Navy’s ability to operate anywhere at any time is essential. USS Wichita, like other ships in her class, are designed from the keel up to affordably take on new capabilities including advanced sensors and missiles. LCS speed, strength, and versatility make it a critical tool to help Sailors achieve their missions.
USS Wichita (LCS 13) is homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, and is assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron Two.
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.13.2024 10:07 |
| Story ID: | 466000 |
| Location: | MAYPORT, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 154 |
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