By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
MANAMA, Bahrain - Members of the Surface Navy Association Persian Gulf Chapter, Combined Maritime Forces and Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, visited USS San Antonio, Nov. 12, highlighting the Navy's newest amphibious ship class.
Cmdr. Kurt Kastner, commanding officer of San Antonio, gave a presentation of the ship's capabilities, described how his ship and crew are contributing to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations and described the role of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
"We always welcome the opportunity to highlight San Antonio's capabilities," said Kastner. "This event allowed the crew to show off this magnificent ship and all of the hard work they have done."
Lt. Cmdr. Hank Kim, President, SNA Persian Gulf Chapter, said the visit to San Antonio was a great opportunity for officers to see one of the Navy's newest ships.
"Visits to surface combatants such as San Antonio provide an excellent venue to showcase the capabilities of our Surface Warriors to other communities and organizations which is what SNA is all about," said Kim.
"Nothing beats walking on the decks of our newest class of warship and talking to the Sailors who bring her to life to help garner a better understanding of what Surface Warfare brings to the fight."
Following the brief, San Antonio officers and Chiefs gave tours of the ship.
"I was impressed with the radar cross section reducing technology incorporated into the ship's hull and superstructure," said Kim. "Not only is the ship more capable of avoiding detection and confusing the enemy into thinking the ship is a small fishing vessel, but the ship is a work of naval engineering art."
Formed in 1985, the SNA promotes coordination and communication among military, business and academic leaders who share an interest in naval surface warfare and supports the activities of surface naval forces.
San Antonio is conducting Maritime Security Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations and is currently in port Bahrain to conduct repair work on lube oil piping.
Vice Adm. Bill Gortney highlighted the remarkable work by the ship's crew in light of recent engineering problems.
"San Antonio's crew has done a magnificent job in the most demanding operational environment," he said. "I am very proud of the ship's crew."
MSO help develop security in the maritime environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue
for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
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