PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 15, 2018) – The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team on amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) prepared to support security efforts during the APEC conference in Port Moresby Thursday.
Green Bay, with embarked Marine Light Attack Helicopter “Vengeance” Squadron (HMLA) 469, arrived in Port Moresby on Nov. 13 and is the second U.S. ship to visit Port Moresby in the last two months.
“The U.S. Navy has invested deeply in supporting the amphibious mission as can be seen in the innovative design of this amphibious transport dock ship,” said Capt. Tom Shultz, commanding officer of Green Bay. “The crew feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to support Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leader’s summit here in Papua New Guinea.”
U.S. Sailors and Marines worked together to conduct training evolutions that requires extensive coordination both on and off the ship.
"We’ve got an outstanding relationship with Green Bay due to the prior deployment of the HMLA Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) detachment,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Cherry, commanding officer of HMLA-469. “There’s been solid communication at all levels of the mission.”
Rear Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet expressed his appreciation and confidence in the Green Bay crew.
“I could not be prouder of the Navy-Marine Corps team deployed here to Papua New Guinea on USS Green Bay,” said Cooper. “Their good work supporting APEC leader’s week on behalf of our Navy and our country is meaningful and impactful.”
Green Bay is assigned to Commander Amphibious Squadron 11 forward deployed in Sasebo, Japan and is operating in the region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. HMLS-469 is forward deployed to Okinawa, Japan. For more information about Green Bay, go to https://www.facebook.com/LPD20.GreenBay/.