Russian sailors take a look at the helm of the USS Fort McHenry during a tour given while the ship was moored in Vladivostok, Russia, for a goodwill port visit last week. (Courtesy of USS Fort McHenry)
Russian sailors take a look at the helm of the USS Fort McHenry during a tour given while the ship was moored in Vladivostok, Russia, for a goodwill port visit last week. (Courtesy of USS Fort McHenry)
Sailors from the Russian navy view Marine Corps field equipment during a tour of the USS Fort McHenry last week. (Courtesy of USS Fort McHenry)
The USS Fort McHenry and the USS Lassen are shown in port at Vladivostok, Russia. (Courtesy of USS Fort McHenry)
During a port visit in Vladivostok, Russia, earlier this month, crewmembers from two U.S. Navy ships and a group of Marines toured a Russian warship.
Sasebo’s dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry, San Diego’s destroyer USS Lassen, and Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, participated in the port call that ended July 7, a Navy news report stated.
Vladivostok is the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet.
This was the second consecutive year for a July port call in Vladivostok for Fort McHenry, part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group operating from Sasebo Naval Base, Japan.
The U.S. personnel toured Russia’s RNS Admiral Tibuts.
“It was wild,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Herbert Craft in the release. “I never thought I’d be going to Russia.”
According to the release, the primary goal for the port visit was to foster goodwill.
“All our lives we have been taught that Russia was the enemy. Now, they are not,” said Cmdr. Adrian Jansen, the Fort McHenry’s commanding officer.
“I hope all of the crew takes away from their visit … the Russian people are trying their best to live good lives and that they, too, only want peace and harmony in the world,” he added.
The port call continued through July 7. The Fort McHenry arrived back at Sasebo Naval Base on Monday, according to a Navy spokesman.
