DARWIN, Australia - Amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Darwin, Australia Sept. 2 for a port visit during their 2011 maiden deployment.

After deploying in February 2011, Green Bay took part in maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts while in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Since departing the North Arabian Gulf area, Green Bay Sailors and Marines have been looking towards their visit to the land down under.

“I’m glad we were able to make the trip down to Australia,” said Cmdr. Kevin Meyers, commanding officer of Green Bay. “The crew has been asking to visit Australia ever since we sailed on deployment, and it’s great that we get to spend a few days here experiencing the local culture.”

The visit to Darwin comes on the heels of a joint U.S.-Australia exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, where USS Germantown (LSD 42) and the 31st MEU conducted amphibious landing operations.

This will be the first visit to Australia for many of Green Bay Sailors and Marines, and many said they are excited to see the local sights and sounds.

“I’ve never been to Australia, so I’m excited to go to a country that not a lot of people get to visit,” said Yeoman Seaman Recruit Ramona Rich. “I want to see habitats that I’ve never seen and can’t see in California.”

Green Bay is helping to strengthen relationships with our regional partners while operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, and is homeported in San Diego, California.