6500 US troops hit Sydney

Daily Telegraph, Sydney, Australia ^ | June 20, 2003

[Byron_the_Aussie]

USS Bon Homme Richard prepares to dock

PROUDLY waving a flag, with tears in his eyes, an Australian was among the 6,500 US troops to hit Sydney today for four days well-earned R&R.

Lieutenant Commander Terrance Nealer was the only Australian among sailors and marines arriving on five US Navy ships for four days of rest and recreation.

Three of the five amphibious assault ships have docked at Sydney's Garden Island - the USS Boxer, the USS Bonhomme Richard, the USS Pearl Harbor - with two more expected to dock this afternoon.

The five warships are bound for their home port of San Diego, California, after deployment in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Given permission to immediately disembark from the USS Boxer to embrace his waiting family, Lt Nealer - who is the Planning Officer for the Commander of Amphibious Squadron 1 - said he had not expected to be back in Sydney during a two-year exchange with the US Navy.

"It's a great opportunity to get back and see Australia, I didn't think I'd be back during my two years," he said.

US Navy Commanding Officer Kenny Golden said five marines had been killed and four wounded during the deployment and the troops were looking forward to the four days off.

"We are really happy to be here. There's a lot of happy faces today ... to leave your home and family in January ... and to work in (that) harsh environment, it really is tough.

"Could you think of a friendlier more pleasant place to be? Look at the sunshine here, there's not a better place in the world to come than Sydney."

Lt Nealer said the ship had been at sea since January 17 and being the only Australian aboard soon became a novelty.

"It normally starts at seven o'clock in the morning when I get the Vegemite out, that's when all the jokes normally start," he said.

Lt Nealer said he had given tour advice to the troops as the ships entered through Sydney Heads this morning.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the operation to coordinate the ship's visit, which had included the Australian and US military forces, had been a complex logistical task.

"We are very pleased with the outcome ... (although) this is an ongoing operation, it's only starting ... these vessels are here for another four days," he said.

[TLBSHOW]

Great thread!

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks Byron.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

G'day TLB! Yep, it's a big story, here. All the radio stations had reporters covering the ships' entry through the Heads, on what was a picture perfect winter morning. Lotsa goodwill, both ways. Cheers, By

[Byron_the_Aussie]

You're welcome, mate. PS just read your comment on the Chief Moose thing. You're all class.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Outstanding. God bless 'em all.

[raisincane]

Thanking God for our friends, the Aussies. Sydney must be a gorgeous welcome to our brave sailors.

[Terp]

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks. Well if your a dingo it's best to avoid claiming you're a show collie. ;-)

[Terp]

[Byron_the_Aussie]

....Sydney must be a gorgeous welcome to our brave sailors...

Sydney, minus one. I've got my unmarried sister chained to the SUV bumper. :) Cheers, By

[DoughtyOne]

[hmmmmm]

*LOLOL*

Now why do I think you'd be in major trouble if your sister was to read your post..

[RandallFlagg]

God, I miss those days!

[Byron_the_Aussie]

The Herald's got a picture slideshow, amigo. Pay no mind to the smog, it's been dead calm for the last week.

[DoughtyOne]

Hey thanks. What smog? That's a clear day in the LA basin. ;-)

[DoughtyOne]

I can understand why you would.