USS Fort McHenry visits Dublin

Photo By Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Lewis | The dock-landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) arrives in Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 30, for a scheduled port visit. During the visit, the ship will host a reception, conduct tours and host military and civilian leaders. Fort McHenry is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.  

DUBLIN, IRELAND

08.30.2012

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By Ensign Laura Price
USS Fort McHenry Public Affairs

DUBLIN, Ireland – The dock-landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) arrived in Dublin, Ireland, to begin a port visit, Aug. 30.

During the visit, the ship will host government and military leaders including the Honorable Dan Rooney, U.S. ambassador to Ireland, the Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy, and Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations.

Also during the visit, more than 300 of the Sailors and Marines from the ship will attend the Emerald Isle Classic football game between the U.S. Naval Academy and Notre Dame.

“USS Fort McHenry, her crew and the embarked Marines feel honored and privileged to represent the United States of America, “said Cmdr. Eric Kellum, executive officer of USS Mount Whitney. “We look forward to showing off our ship, our equipment, the Sailors and Marines and showing support to the Naval Academy team in the game.”

Fort McHenry’s commanding officer also expressed excitement with the visit.

“USS Fort McHenry is proud to come to Dublin to represent the military forces of the United States and to fully support the U.S. Naval Academy beating Notre Dame,” said Cmdr. Ray Hartman.

The ship is scheduled to host public tours on Saturday and Sunday for guests chosen through a lottery run by the U.S. Embassy in Dublin. The tours will be an opportunity to show the public a U.S. Navy vessel as well as the embarked Marines, Riverine Squadron and Beachmaster Unit, who make up the Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012 (SCTF-APS 12).

“The Marines are looking forward to representing our country and visiting Ireland both to watch the game and visit a country that so many of them have ancestry from,” said Marine Maj. Christopher Curtin, commanding officer of SCTF-APS 12.

USS Fort McHenry, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is currently deployed to U.S. 6th Fleet conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

• Date Taken: 08.30.2012
• Date Posted: 08.30.2012 15:39
• Story ID: 94059
• Location: DUBLIN, IE