PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 19, 2018) – The Navy and Marine Corps team on the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) departed Port Moresby Nov. 19 after supporting security efforts during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
Green Bay, with embarked Marine Light Attack Helicopter “Vengeance” Squadron (HMLA) 469, arrived in Port Moresby on Nov. 13 in support of APEC.
“The Navy-Marine Corps team on Green Bay has done a superb job here in Port Moresby,” said Rear Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet. “They can take great pride in the vibrant support they gave to the security effort for the APEC summit.”
U.S. Sailors and Marines conducted various training evolutions both on and off the ship to demonstrate and practice mission capabilities along with Royal Australian Navy forces including landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Adelaide (L01), Royal New Zealand Navy forces, U.S. Coast Guard forces and multiple government entities from participating countries.
“The blue-green team, along with the Royal Australian Navy, worked well together,” said Lt. Robert Jameson, assistant air officer of Green Bay. “It’s been inspiring to see the men and women from different services and countries come together and efficiently execute the mission.”
The HMAS Adelaide and Green Bay teamed up for cross deck flight operations. Two UH-1Y Huey helicopters, assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter “Vengeance” Squadron (HMLA) 469, and a MH-60R Seahawk and MRH-90 Taipan helicopter, assigned to HMAS Adelaide, conducted helicopter deck landing qualifications on each other’s flight decks.
“All the Sailors and Marines onboard were honored and proud to represent our country and support the Vice President during APEC,” said Capt. Tom Shultz, commanding officer of Green Bay. “It was a unique mission that allowed us to work with new partners and learn new skills.”
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/.