The occasion, held on the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Base East, included ceremonial traditions from each nations, underscoring the deep-rooted mateship and mutual respect between the U.S. and Australian Navies. The Navy’s premier ceremonial unit, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard diligently trains to render correct respect to the nation, its leaders, and overseas dignitaries.
“The elite members of the US Navy Ceremonial Guard are keepers of custom and mirror the very essence the US Navy,” mentioned Rear Adm. Nancy Lacore, commandant Naval District Washington. “Their participation in USS Canberra’s commissioning demonstrates the satisfaction and privilege the U.S. Navy feels to conduct the ceremony in Australia.”
Commissioning ceremonies have been a U.S. Navy custom since 1775, hoisting the commissioning pennant to suggest the ship and crew are prepared to satisfy their mission. Within the days previous the ceremony, the Guard frolicked coaching alongside and integrating with Australian Navy Sailors, sharing data, expertise, and customs with each other.
“We’re immensely honored to characterize our nation alongside our Australian counterparts on this distinguished event,” mentioned Cmdr. Alexander McMahon, commanding officer, U.S. Navy. “It’s a particular alternative to mix our traditions with these of the Australian Navy, tailoring a singular ceremony match for a warship named for our Ally’s capital metropolis.”
The Sailors of the Ceremonial Guard will take part in a ceremonial march in Canberra on Sunday, July 23, to rejoice the town’s bestowal of Freedom of Entry on the newly commissioned littoral fight ship (LCS). The custom, which dates again to medieval occasions, is the best accolade {that a} city or metropolis can bestow on a gaggle or particular person, and is a mirrored image of the belief and confidence that the residents maintain in them.
Canberra is the second U.S. Navy ship named for Australia’s capital and in honor of the HMAS Canberra that was misplaced on the Battle of Savo Island in World Warfare II. The primary USS Canberra (CA-70/CAG-2) was named on the route of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra and its brave actions through the Battle of Savo Island which happened Aug. 7-9, 1942. The brand new Baltimore-class heavy cruiser was renamed Canberra from Pittsburgh on Oct. 16, 1942 and was commissioned on Oct. 14, 1943.
Littoral Fight Ships (LCS) are a quick, agile, mission-focused platform designed to function in near-shore environments, profitable towards Twenty first-century coastal threats. The LCS is able to supporting ahead presence, maritime safety, sea management, and deterrence.
Established in 1931, the US Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official ceremonial unit of the Navy. Positioned at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC, the Navy Ceremonial Guard’s major mission is to characterize the service in Presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy, and public ceremonies in and across the nation’s capital. Members of the Navy Ceremonial Guard take part in a few of our nation’s most prestigious ceremonies, together with Presidential inaugurations and arrival ceremonies for overseas officers. As well as, the Navy Ceremonial Guard serves because the funeral escort and conducts all companies for Navy personnel buried in Arlington Nationwide Cemetery.
For extra info on the usCanberra commissioning, please go to https://www.dvidshub.web/characteristic/CanberraCommissioning and http://photos.defence.gov.au/S20232084.