Leaders and crewmembers of USS Monsoon (PC 4) and USS Chinook (PC 9) marked the top of almost three many years of U.S. naval service.
“I’m honored to be part of the legacy on this waterfront,” mentioned Lt. Cmdr. Dre Johnson, throughout the ceremony. “PC Sailors are a singular bunch, and solely they’ll perceive the quantity of labor they’ve completed and the delight they’ve in what they’ve completed.”
Johnson is Monsoon’s final commanding officer. The U.S. Navy initially commissioned the ship in 1994 after which recommissioned it in 2008 after Monsoon served 4 years within the U.S. Coast Guard. Chinook was commissioned in 1995.
“With 28 years of crew overlaying a number of generations, every one was devoted to the mission, adapting to quickly altering mission units, and dealing collectively as a staff to perform no matter impediment that got here their means,” mentioned Lt. Cmdr. David Hartmann, Chinook’s commanding officer.
Monsoon and Chinook are the final of a gaggle of 10 ships designed for shallow-water operations that have been stationed in Bahrain. The Center East area consists of 5,000 miles of shoreline from the northern Arabian Gulf, across the Arabian Peninsula, by the Purple Sea and Suez Canal.
Final yr, the U.S. Navy decommissioned and transferred 5 patrol craft to the Royal Bahrain Naval Drive: former ships USS Tempest (PC 2), USS Hurricane (PC 5), USS Squall (PC 7), USS Firebolt (PC 10) and USS Whirlwind (PC 11). Moreover, the U.S. Navy decommissioned and transferred former ships USS Hurricane (PC 3), USS Sirocco (PC 6) and USS Thunderbolt (PC 12) to the Egyptian Navy final week throughout a proper ceremony in Alexandria, Egypt.
Monsoon and Chinook are slated for switch to the Philippine Navy. Officers from the Philippines attended the ceremony.
“I’m pleased with our crews for reaching this milestone and representing our nation and Navy with utmost delight and professionalism,” mentioned Capt. Anthony Webber, commander of Activity Drive 55, which oversees operations for U.S. fifth Fleet’s floor forces. “I’m additionally proud that we’re turning over nice ships to our Philippine companions.”
Bahrain, Egypt and the Philippines are members of the biggest multinational naval partnership on the earth known as Mixed Maritime Forces (CMF). Led by the USA, forces from the group’s 38 nations function throughout roughly 3.2 million sq. miles of worldwide water house within the Center East. The partnership ensures maritime safety and stability in among the world’s most necessary delivery lanes.
