Sailors, Marines Visit India Aboard USS Rushmore

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Freeman | 180611-N-AT135-024 RELEASED PACIFIC OCEAN (June 11, 2018) — Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) transits the Pacific Ocean during composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is the final pre-deployment exercise that certifies the combined Essex Amphibious Ready Group and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s abilities to conduct military operations at sea and project power ashore during their upcoming deployment in summer of 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Freeman/Released)  

CHENNAI, INDIA

01.23.2019

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Reymundo Villegas 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

CHENNAI, India (NNS) -- Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Chennai, India, Jan 23. While in port, Rushmore will refuel and host Indian Navy personnel, while it’s embarked Sailors and Marines will have opportunities to tour the local area.

"Rushmore Sailors and Marines are excited to visit Chennai and we appreciate the very warm welcome," said Cmdr. Robert Tryon, commanding officer of Rushmore. "Though this is a brief logistics and refueling port visit for Rushmore, everyone onboard is looking forward to touring Chennai and enjoying some well-deserved liberty."

Following USS Anchorage’s (LPD 23) visit to Visakhapatnam in December, this is the second time Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESXARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) personnel visited India in recent weeks and reflects a growing relationship between the U.S. and Indian navies.

The ESXARG is comprised of Rushmore, Anchorage and USS Essex (LHD 2) and the 13th MEU. The ESXARGMEU is currently deployed to the 7th fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies and maintain a presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS Rushmore (LSD 47), visit http://www.rushmore.navy.mil and https://www.facebook.com/USSRushmore.

For more information on 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, find them on Facebook at Facebook.com/ 13thMEUView/ or on Twitter.

• Date Taken: 01.23.2019
• Date Posted: 01.23.2019 04:50
• Story ID: 307864
• Location: CHENNAI, IN