Two U.S. Navy ships, the USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) and the USS Tripoli (LHA 7), arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam on December 8 as part of routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area. The visit includes nearly 2,300 sailors and marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Amphibious Squadron 11, and Commander, Task Force 76.
The scheduled port call is seen as a reflection of growing ties between the United States and Vietnam under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The last time U.S. naval vessels visited Da Nang was in June 2023 when the USS Ronald Reagan and other ships made a stop.
Rear Admiral Tom Shultz, commander of Task Force 76 whose flagship is the Tripoli, stated: “We could not have asked for a warmer welcome from our Vietnamese partners. Our visit highlights the strengthening relationship between our two nations and militaries, enables us to build operational understanding and trust, and reinforces our relationship on a personal level while advancing our shared goals of peace, prosperity, and economic security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
This port visit coincides with events marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Ambassador Marc E. Knapper commented: “The visit by USS Tripoli and USS Robert Smalls coming as we close out celebrations to mark 30 years of bilateral relations is proof that the U.S.-Vietnam partnership has never been better. It is so heartening to see the warm welcome U.S. service members have received here in Da Nang, a city that holds a special place in the history of our bilateral relations and recently faced challenges following multiple typhoons. The United States has provided $1.75 million in disaster relief support in response to recent events, and our growing security cooperation, including through humanitarian assistance and disaster response trainings, has helped enhance Vietnam’s response capacity in disaster prone areas and strengthened people-to-people ties.”
Commander Task Force 76 conducts expeditionary warfare operations within the region using Navy and Marine Corps capabilities for various contingencies ranging from crisis response to combat operations.
The U.S. 7th Fleet remains America’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet operating with allies throughout Asia to promote regional stability.
For photos related to this port call, readers can visit https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCCA1f