USS Gonzalez Patrols the Indian Ocean

Defend America ^ | July 7, 2005 | Petty Officer 1st Class Wes Eplen

[SandRat]

MOMBASA, Kenya, July 7, 2005 — USS Gonzalez moored at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya July 6 for an overnight port call, marking the first time a U.S. ship has visited Mombasa since 1999. “We really appreciate this visit,” said His Worship the Mayor Taib Ali Taib, mayor of Mombasa. “I don’t think it matters how short the visit.

“What matters is that you are here. We appreciate the signal [the Gonzalez visit] sends to us as a country.”

"Essentially, we're patrolling the waters of the Indian Ocean in order to preserve its use by legitimate mariners, and also to deter and deny international terrorist organizations from using those waters," said Gonzalez Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Griffin.

The guided missile destroyer is currently deployed to the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group and is participating in coalition maritime security operations (MSO).

MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as an avenue for attack of transport personnel, weapons, or other material.

"Essentially, we're patrolling the waters of the Indian Ocean in order to preserve its use by legitimate mariners, and also to deter and deny international terrorist organizations from using those waters," said Gonzalez Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Griffin.

The mayor stressed the importance of MSO to those Kenyans living in the coastal city.

“Mombasa has always been a trade city, and it is important

that people come free and leave free to continue commerce,” Taib said.

Operational commitments and a variety of other reasons have generally precluded port visits to Mombasa in the past few years, and Sailors were happy to return.

"We're happy to be the first ship to come back and we hope that this visit will set the stage for future visits from all our ships," said Griffin.

The Gonzalez crew enjoyed liberty at local resorts, which prepared special meals and shows featuring Masai warriors for the guests. Crewmembers also had the opportunity to shop for wood carvings, tribal jewelry and other crafts Kenya artisans are known for.

"I'm excited," said CTR3 Tammy Daniels. "I never thought in my life that I'd see Kenya. I so glad we had this chance."

Key military and political leaders took advantage of the opportunity to engage in professional exchange. A reception was hosted aboard the ship, the ship's captain called on community and military leaders including the Kenyan Navy Chief of Naval Operations.

The magnitude of their contributions and commitments while underway in support of maritime security operations is not lost to these sailors.

"I'm very happy I could do my part," said Daniels. "My brother is in the Army and did a year in Iraq. We're doing our part on the water and I'm proud to be here."

While deployed to the region conducting MSO, the ship has helped ward off a pirate attack off the coast of Somalia in early June, and also aided a group of stranded mariners aboard a disabled vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

Gonzalez is homeported in Norfolk, Va.

[SandRat]

Storm clouds part to allow a bit of sun and a rainbow to shine through as the USS Gonzalez pulls into the Port of Mombasa, Kenya, July 6, 2005 for an overnight port call. The visit marks the first time a U.S. ship has visited Mombasa since 1999. U.S. Navy photograph by Petty Officer 1st Class Wes Eplen

[SandRat]

Navy Ping

[FreeRep]

Great picture, and God Bless Our Troops

[raybbr]

Who is the Gonzalez named after? Not Pancho I hope.

[skeeter]

I dunno... one of the first American KIA of WWII was a naval aviator named Gonzalez shot down on Dec. 7th.

[skeeter]

Alfredo Gonzalez was born May 23, 1946, in Edinburg, Texas. He graduated from Lamar Grammar School in 1955, and from Edinburg High School in 1965.

While participating in the initial phase of Operation HUE CITY in the vicinity of Thua Thien, Vietnam, on February 4, 1968, Sergeant Gonzalez was mortally wounded from hostile rocket fire.

A complete list of medals and decorations include: the Congressional Medal of Honor; the Purple Heart; the Presidential Unit Citation; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm; the Military Merit Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

[raybbr]

About the destroyer’s name, about Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez:

Alfredo Gonzalez was born May 23, 1946, in Edinburg, Texas. He graduated from Lamar Grammar School in 1955, and from Edinburg High School in 1965.

Enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at San Antonio, Texas, June 3, 1965, he completed Recruit Training with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Dept, San Diego, California, the following September, and Individual Combat Training 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry training regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, that October.

After completing Individual Combat Training, he became a rifleman with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF, and served in that capacity until January 1966. He next saw a one year Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Rein), FMF. He was promoted to Private First Class, January 1, 1966; to Lance Corporal, October 1, 1966, and to Corporal, December 1, 1966.

Upon his return to the United States in February 1967, he reported for duty as a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, for transfer to the Far East.

On July 1, 1967, he was promoted to Sergeant, and later that month, arrived in the Republic of Vietnam. He served as Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant with 3rd Platoon Company "A", 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF.

While participating in the initial phase of Operation HUE CITY in the vicinity of Thua Thien, Vietnam, on February 4, 1968, Sergeant Gonzalez was mortally wounded from hostile rocket fire.

A complete list of medals and decorations include: the Congressional Medal of Honor; the Purple Heart; the Presidential Unit Citation; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm; the Military Merit Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Sergeant Gonzalez is survived by his mother, Mrs. Dolia Gonzalez and his grandmother, Mrs. Herminia Gonzalez.

[SandRat]

Alfredo (Freddy) Gonzalez



Alfredo Gonzalez was born May 23, 1946, in Edinburg, Texas. He graduated from Lamar Grammar School in 1955, and from Edinburg High School in 1965. Enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at San Antonio, Texas, June 3, 1965, he completed Recruit Training with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Dept, San Diego, California, the following September, and Individual Combat Training 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry training regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, that October.

After completing Individual Combat Training, he became a rifleman with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF, and served in that capacity until January 1966. He next saw a one year Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Rein), FMF. He was promoted to Private First Class, January 1, 1966; to Lance Corporal, October 1, 1966, and to Corporal, December 1, 1966.

Upon his return to the United States in February 1967, he reported for duty as a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, for transfer to the Far East.

On July 1, 1967, he was promoted to Sergeant, and later that month, arrived in the Republic of Vietnam. He served as Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant with 3rd Platoon Company "A", 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF.

While participating in the initial phase of Operation HUE CITY in the vicinity of Thua Thien, Vietnam, on February 4, 1968, Sergeant Gonzalez was mortally wounded from hostile rocket fire.

A complete list of medals and decorations include: the Congressional Medal of Honor; the Purple Heart; the Presidential Unit Citation; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm; the Military Merit Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Sergeant Gonzalez is survived by his mother, Mrs. Dolia Gonzalez and his grandmother, Mrs. Herminia Gonzalez.

[raybbr]

Cool pic of the Gonzalez firing.

[joesnuffy]

Speedy

[Calpernia]

USS Gonzalez moored at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya July 6 for an overnight port call, marking the first time a U.S. ship has visited Mombasa since 1999. “We really appreciate this visit,” said His Worship the Mayor Taib Ali Taib, mayor of Mombasa. “I don’t think it matters how short the visit.

“What matters is that you are here. We appreciate the signal [the Gonzalez visit] sends to us as a country.”

"Essentially, we're patrolling the waters of the Indian Ocean in order to preserve its use by legitimate mariners, and also to deter and deny international terrorist organizations from using those waters," said Gonzalez Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Griffin.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!