MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- For the first time in Navy-Marine Corps history, a U.S. naval vessel docked at a Marine port here Friday.
The USS Patriot, a diesel-powered mine counter-measure vessel from Sasebo Naval Base, became the first U.S Navy ship to dock at the air station. The 224-foot ship holds 84 crewmembers and made the port call for replenishment.
“Because we’re not the biggest naval vessel, we need to make periodic stops to re-supply with food, water and fuel,” said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas E. Schultz, ship captain. The stop is also “a leave and liberty opportunity for our crew.”
Iwakuni became the only Marine Corps install-ation to have a port capable of accommodating a vessel of the Patriot’s size when it opened its new port facility in June 2005. The new facility is part of an runway relocation project designed to reduce noise pollution.
“We had a port here before, but it was very shallow,” said Petty Officer First Class Ken Wright, station harbor master, about the old port, which was filled in to make way for a new runway. “This one has much greater capabilities.”
Patriot crewmen, many of whom were visiting Iwakuni for the first time, emphasized the importance of representing the U.S. Navy honorably.
“We want to show our colors,” said Petty Officer Second Class Shawn McFall, Patriot deck supervisor and Titusville, Fla., native. “When we leave we want the local citizens to know what the U.S. Navy and what U.S. sailors represent.”
The Patriot will be docked at the station for only a short time before continuing its mission.