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| Wednesday, 21 April 2004 |
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by Ananth Palakidnar The USS Cushing -DD 985, an American Navy destroyer arrived yesterday in the Colombo harbour on a goodwill mission. "It is a great pleasure to be in Sri Lanka and our sailors get an opportunity to tour the country and enjoy the Sri Lankan hospitality," Commander of the USS Cushing Steven A. Mucklow said. Commander S. A. Mucklow was speaking to journalists on board the USS Cushing yesterday. He said the purpose of the visit to Colombo was mainly to have interaction with the Sri Lanka Navy and to give crew members the opportunity to familiarise with the land and people of Sri Lanka. According to Commander Mucklow the USS Cushing was commissioned by the US navy in 1979 and it was named after Commander William Barker Cushing, a naval hero of the American Civil War. The ship is based in Yokosuka, Japan and attached to the US 7th fleet. The USS Cushing carries highly sophisticated Air defence and under water warfare system. As a flagship for the Anti-Submarine Warfare squadron, Cushing was involved in numerous operations throughout the Eastern and Western Pacific. In 1992, Cushing became the first Pacific fleet ship to participate in the South American Multinational Exercises, UNITAS. The destroyer has a crew of approximately 300 including three women officers. Commander Mucklow taking the mediamen around the vessel also showed the various missile systems fitted on deck and said that the destroyer also provides crew members on board training. The destroyer Cushing was also capable of carrying two helicopters, according to its commander. |
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