BY : O HERALD



Two US Navy warships have docked here on a friendly port visit to India.
During the four-day visit, crewmembers of 'USS Chosin' and 'USS Milius' will interact with their Indian counterparts, participate in friendship building activities, will meet locals, and experience the Goan customs and tradition.

Commanding Officer of the USS Chosin Captain Steven A. Lott said the main aim of the visit is to further friendly relations between the two navies.

"Two reasons (for the visit), the first is to further the friendship between the United States and India. It's an important symbol of our government for this ship to be here. Secondly, this is an opportunity for my ship and my sailors to have an opportunity to visit Goa and to see what there is to be seen here in India," he said.

Captain Larry M. Gillis, US naval attache at the US embassy in New Delhi, said this was a standard port visit.

"India is one of the countries that we enjoy good relationships with. So, there will be times when a port visit will be associated with an exercise between our two navies and there will be times like this one where a port visit is only for the crew rest, relaxation and opportunities to show the flag and present our goodwill to India," he said.

The USS Chosin is a 9,600-ton Ticonderoga class cruiser while the USS Milius is an 8,315-ton Arleigh -Burke class destroyer.

While both ships are equipped with Tomhawk and Harpoon cruise missiles, the USS Milius is also equipped with two (SH-60B) Lamps MK-II helicopters.

The Indian and US militaries have held a series of joint exercises in the past few years, including Special Forces training in jungle warfare and parachute jumps.