2008 Press Releases

September 4, 2008

Visit of USS Farragut to Trinidad and Tobago

USS Farragut (DDG 99), an Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer, arrives in Trinidad for a port visit on 05 September 2008. Farragut is deployed to the region as part of Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2008, an annual naval deployment directed by the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and carried out by 4^th Fleet in the Caribbean and Central and South America.

During POA, ships from the United States Navy participate in a series of Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) events, including military-to-military cooperation, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and combined training, exercises, and operations with partner navies in the region.  POA provides opportunities for participating nations to train together and join efforts to counter maritime activities that could threaten stability in the region.

Before traveling to Trinidad, Farragut participated in Fuerzas Aliadas (FA) PANAMAX, an annual multinational exercise focused on the defense of the Panama Canal. FA-PANAMAX 2008 exercises were carried out from 11 to 22 August and involved some 7,000 military personnel from 20 countries.  These exercises took place on the Pacific and Caribbean sides of the Panama Canal with land forces participating from Comalapa Air Base, El Salvador and Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.

“I have been excited about this visit since the beginning of our deployment” said Ensign Marvin Joseph, one of the Farragut Officers who was born and raised in Trinidad.  “Not only will we be able to work and train with the dedicated professionals of the Coast Guard, I will also be able to show the rest of the Sailors on the Farragut what Trinidad has to offer and return home to visit my family.”

Farragut is home ported in Naval Station Mayport, FL, and is commanded by Commander Scott E. Dugan, of the U.S. Navy.  This ship has a crew of approximately 290 officers and enlisted personnel.

For more information on USS FARRAGUT, please visit their webpage at: http://www.Farragut.navy.mil/default.aspx