US, Lanka Navies to enhance cooperation

United States Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Robert F. Willard called on Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda at the Navy Headquarters, Colombo, yesterday. Upon arrival, Admiral Willard was awarded a guard of honour at the Navy Headquarters. He was accompanied by a high-level US Navy delegation.

Admiral Willard and Navy Commander Karannagoda during discussions focused on the bilateral relations and Maritime security.

The talks were fruitful and led to the enhancement of the existing cordial relationships between the two Navies and the solidifying of cooperation in many areas of mutual interests.

Admiral Willard was impressed by the Sri Lanka Navy’s recent achievements in destroying the LTTE’s logistics capability and expressed his appreciation on the performance of the Naval personnel concerned.

Admiral Willard will inspect the radar-based maritime surveillance system and the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) provided to the Sri Lanka Navy recently under Section 1206 of the US National Defence Authorization Act.

The surveillance system and the inflatable boats are designed to enhance maritime security by increasing the Sri Lanka Navy’s ability to detect off-shore smuggling activity.

Admiral Willard assumed command of the US Pacific Fleet in May 2007 and is responsible for the world’s largest fleet command, encompassing 100 million square miles and approximately 178 ships, 1500 air craft and 160,000 sailors, Marines and civilians.

Admiral Willard had commanded the amphibious flagship, USS Tripoli and the aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln. An F-14 aviator, he served in general fighter squadrons and aircraft carriers and commanded the Screaming Eagles of Fighter squadron 51 (VF -51).