Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) and America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) with embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 arrived in the central city of Da Nang on Monday, while conducting routine operations in the US 7th Fleet area of operations.
The USS ships group with nearly 2,300 sailors and marines received warmly welcome by the city’s foreign affairs department, Vietnamese Navy Region 3, the Military Region 5, the city’s border guard force in a ceremony at the city’s Tiên Sa Port on December 8.
The scheduled port visit underscores the two nations’ commitment to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that spans political, security, economic and people-to-people ties.
The previous US port visit to Da Nang was in 2023 by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Robert Smalls (CG 62).
“We could not have asked for a warmer welcome from our Vietnamese partners,” said Rear Admiral Tom Shultz, commander, Task Force 76, whose flagship is Tripoli.
“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.”
Tripoli and Robert Smalls’ crews will have an opportunity to meet the city’s people and experience its unique culture. It also serves a key role in celebrating the 30th anniversary of US-Viet Nam relations.
“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 US–Viet Nam partnership has never been better,” said US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc E. Knapper.
“It is so heartening to see the warm welcome US 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,” he noted.
The United States has provided US$1.75 million in disaster relief support in response to recent events, and our growing security co-operation, including through humanitarian assistance and disaster response trainings, has helped enhance Viet Nam’s response capacity in disaster prone areas and strengthened people-to-people ties,” Knapper remarked.
Within the US 7th Fleet area of operations, CTF-76 is responsible for conducting expeditionary warfare operations with Navy and Marine Corps capabilities to support theater contingencies that range from crisis response to full combat operations.
US 7th Fleet is the US Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The four-day visit by the US ships will include community events such as an English Language Exchange with Vietnamese students, an engagement with Vietnamese children and restoration areas of Village of Hope Orphanage in the city.
Da Nang has been pushing for cooperation with US partners and businesses in the development of the semiconductor and AI industries, human resources training, seaport management, research, innovation, the environment and waste management and treatment.
The US currently ranked third in the list of FDI in Da Nang with 97 projects worth US$550 million. Da Nang had built partnerships with Oakland (California); Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) and Houston (Texas).
The US-based aviation firm Universal Alloy Corporation (UAC) had already operated its factory, a sole-source supplier producing unique aerospace components for Boeing aircraft, at the city’s Hi-tech Park. — VNS