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.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

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

Naaah, I don't have to worry.

I left some stuff in easy reach that should keep her preoccupied, until the fleet's gone.

[Bogey78O]

[Neophyte]

This Sydney has a suspiciously French surname.... :-)))

A propos, not a word is to be found about the event in the Labour-sycophantic New Zealand papers. And we're just next door!

[WaterDragon]

Hah! The LCAC....my son was the Master of one.

[AnAmericanMother]

Oh wow. Where'd you come up with that collection of rotgut?

What's the word?
Thunderbird.
What's the price?
Thirty twice.
What's the reason?
Grape's outta season.

[msdrby]

Great picture!

[rintense]

The Aussies have been great allies and friends. It's nice to see our soldiers welcomed so nicely in Sydney. Thanks Byron!

[Maigrey]

Ditto Bump

[areafiftyone]

Great Post! The first line brought tears to my eyes!

[Sub-Driver]

and let the beer flow..........

[Sam Cree]

My wife, daughter and I were in Sydney for a wedding several years ago. An American aircraft carrier came in to the harbor for a couple days, I forget which one now, but the entire town seemed thrilled and excited about it.

Sydney is a lovely, friendly and beautiful city, IMO. We had a great time there, and really enjoyed meeting Australians.

[sam_paine]

Does Bonhomme mean "Pretty boy?" I'll bet they get a ration of $#!^ from other sailors for that.

[wimpycat]

It means "Good Man".

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

[wimpycat]

LOL! I like the title...US troops "hit" Sydney. LOL!

The editors of the papers must be worried about their sisters, too, LOL!

[wimpycat]

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

Oops! Wrong war.

I should have said, "I have not yet begun to fight!"

Here's the story of the first "Bonhomme Richard" and John Paul Jones.

[TEXASPROUD]

Great post early in the morning. By the way Byron, Got an e-mail from Robert in Baghdad. Things are still a bit wild, but he is managing to find some humor in life over there.

[ASA Vet]

Regarding the headline.
It's doubtful there were any troops at all.
Sailors and Marines, but no troops.

[wimpycat]

I don't expect anything less than ignorance from a press that calls Navy corpsmen "medics".

[x1stcav]

It'll be a good time in the Beefsteak and Bourbon the next few days.

[Turbo Pig]

Greatest port calls I had while on seaduty were in Sydney and Perth; coming home from the Gulf and Somolia. The Australians, as a whole, are a great people, and some of the most gracious hosts I ever dealt with. The troops will have an awesome time.

Only place I ever went where a female (cute little Corporal in the Aussie Army Signal Corps)could drink me under the table:-)