USS Denver Arrives in Dili, Timor-Leste

Amphibious Squadron 11
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Lindahl

Date: 08.27.2013
Posted: 08.27.2013 05:49
News ID: 112650
USS Denver arrives in Dili, Timor-Leste

DILI, Timor-Leste – Amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Dili, Timor-Leste, Aug. 27, following scheduled operations in the region.

During the visit to Dili, Denver’s medical staff is scheduled to conduct medical training in a collaborated session at National Hospital Guido Valadares on basic lifesaving, while sailors and Marines conduct a variety of military exercises with the Timorese Defense Forces. A host of community service programs are also scheduled.

The medical training will be held in collaboration with staff from the Royal Darwin Hospital in Darwin, Australia, already embarked on Denver, Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Health Directorate of Community Health Services, HNGV, the National Hospital Referral and Ambulance Services, St. John of God, and the USAID-funded health improvement project.

“I am excited about our port visit to Dili and the positive impact our sailors and Marines will have with all the programs and events we have set up,” said Denver’s Command Master Chief Edwin Purdy. “Providing assistance to the people of Timor-Leste serves as a testament of our desire to strengthen this relationship well in to the future.”

Denver is on patrol with the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 31st MEU, is currently conducting routine joint-force operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. For more news about PHIBRON 11 or USS Denver (LPD 9), visit: www.facebook.com/#!/PHIBRON11 or
www.cpr11.navy.mil, http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lpd9/Pages/default.aspx.