Skip to comments.
6500 US troops hit Sydney
Daily Telegraph, Sydney, Australia ^
| June 20, 2003
Posted on 06/20/2003 1:12:01 AM PDT by 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.
TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: australia; marines; navy; randr; shipmovement; ussbonhommerichard; ussboxer; usspearlharbor
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-49 next last
To: Byron_the_Aussie
Great thread!
2
posted on
06/20/2003 1:20:46 AM PDT
by
TLBSHOW
(the gift is to see the truth)
To: Byron_the_Aussie
Thanks Byron.
To: TLBSHOW
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
4
posted on
06/20/2003 1:26:35 AM PDT
by
Byron_the_Aussie
(http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup2.html)
Comment #5 Removed by Moderator
To: DoughtyOne
You're welcome, mate. PS just read your comment on the Chief Moose thing. You're all class.
6
posted on
06/20/2003 1:27:22 AM PDT
by
Byron_the_Aussie
(http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup2.html)
To: Byron_the_Aussie
Outstanding. God bless 'em all.
Comment #8 Removed by Moderator
To: Byron_the_Aussie
Thanking God for our friends, the Aussies. Sydney must be a gorgeous welcome to our brave sailors.
Comment #10 Removed by Moderator
To: DoughtyOne
11
posted on
06/20/2003 1:35:29 AM PDT
by
Terp
(Retired US Navy now living in Philippines were the Moutains meet the Sea in the Land of Smiles)
To: Byron_the_Aussie
Thanks. Well if your a dingo it's best to avoid claiming you're a show collie. ;-)
To: Terp
13
posted on
06/20/2003 1:37:44 AM PDT
by
Terp
(Retired US Navy now living in Philippines were the Moutains meet the Sea in the Land of Smiles)
To: raisincane
....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
14
posted on
06/20/2003 1:43:51 AM PDT
by
Byron_the_Aussie
(http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup2.html)
To: Byron_the_Aussie
To: Byron_the_Aussie
*LOLOL*
Now why do I think you'd be in major trouble if your sister was to read your post..
16
posted on
06/20/2003 1:49:01 AM PDT
by
hmmmmm
To: DoughtyOne
God, I miss those days!
17
posted on
06/20/2003 1:53:06 AM PDT
by
RandallFlagg
("There are worse things than crucifixion...There are teeth.")
To: DoughtyOne
The
Herald's got a
picture slideshow, amigo. Pay no mind to the smog, it's been dead calm for the last week.
18
posted on
06/20/2003 2:01:48 AM PDT
by
Byron_the_Aussie
(http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup2.html)
To: Byron_the_Aussie
Hey thanks. What smog? That's a clear day in the LA basin. ;-)
To: RandallFlagg
I can understand why you would.
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-49 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson