U.S. Warship Pulls Into China Port

Associated Press ^ | U.S. Warship Pulls Into China | AUDRA ANG

[Dog Gone]

QINGDAO, China (AP) -- An American destroyer pulled into an eastern Chinese harbor Sunday, the first port call in China by a U.S. Navy ship since the two countries curtailed military ties after a dispute over a plane crash early last year.

Chinese sailors lined the dock and stood at attention on two ships in port as the USS Paul F. Foster pulled into the coastal city of Qingdao. A Chinese military band played as the ship churned in, and a little girl held a bouquet of flowers in welcome.

A banner hanging at the Qingdao dock said: ``Warm welcome for the United States ship in Qingdao.''

The USS Paul F. Foster arrived flying both American and Chinese flags from its mast. A helicopter was parked on its deck.

Military ties -- which both nations view as crucial -- were cut back after a Navy spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet collided over the South China Sea in April 2001.

Both sides accused the other of causing the aerial crash, and China detained the U.S. plane's 24-member crew for 11 days after they made an emergency landing on Hainan Island. Angered by China's handling of the incident, the U.S. administration called a virtual halt to military exchanges.

The Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States marked a turning point for relations. Beijing expressed its sympathy, cooperated with American anti-terrorism efforts and accepted the U.S. military's presence in Central Asia, considered by China to be within its own sphere of influence.

Despite occasional tensions over perennial sore points such as Taiwan, trade and human rights, ties have warmed considerably -- illustrated by the congenial reception offered Chinese President Jiang Zemin at President Bush's Texas ranch last month.

The sides formally committed at that meeting to restarting military-to-military contacts. The announcement of a slew of exchanges, including the ship visit, quickly followed.

Next month, the United States will host nearly two dozen Chinese generals, and the admiral who commands all U.S. forces in the Pacific will visit China.

Senior-level defense talks, not held since 2000, will resume Dec. 9 in Washington.

The USS Paul F. Foster also played a role in the post-Sept. 11, 2001, renewal of U.S. military contacts with another nation. In September, it participated in the first India-U.S. joint naval exercise since the United States banned such contacts with India in 1998.

The destroyer, based in Everett, Wash., is equipped with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and torpedoes that can be launched either from the ship or its sophisticated SH-60B Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

The destroyer, commissioned in 1976, was the first U.S. ship to fire Tomahawks against Iraqi targets in the 1991 Gulf War.

[Bobibutu]

Deception and stealth -

i.e., Old age and treachery will overcome youth and exuberance every time

Not really - the bad guys know what these fishing boats can do and give them a wide bearth.

[Bobibutu]

You are RIGHT - and that is what the electronics on these babys gives them. Add that to a highly trained crew and Boss and you have a winner.

[demlosers]

The quals to be a commander of one of these puppys is immense

No doubt about that.

I was speaking hypothetical. The old WW2 warship would never know what hit them, and they wouldn't be able to fight back -- they wouldn't be able to see the Aegis. Way out of range of their popshooters.

[Bobibutu]

DG... look just under the first smokestack in the pic - down a bit - there is a notch and a light colored square under it - these are weapons of the first order - most hi tech weapons platforms are not easily seen - unless you are trained to look for them - this weapon sys is on both sides of the ship and there is more - much more...
the gun? for lo tech ingagements...

[gcruse]

Sorry. I screwed up.  This is the
Destroyer in question.  The other
is the Paul Hamilton.  My bad.

[Bobibutu]

I understood - it was in good fun - I'll take that bet anyday - shoot give 'em 4 WWII Distros and a WWII B'ship - it would be like putting Muhhamed Ali (in his prime) up against Al Sharpton (pick your age) Float like a butterfly and all the rest....

[Bobibutu]

Guys - we are not called a superpower for nothing - our only weakness is lo-tech which must be corrected by our intel - young bright minds such as on this forum - keeping watch - into the future - Bless you all

[Republican Wildcat]

You know, we've been getting better cooperation out of China recently than we have from our so-called European 'allies'.

[Dog Gone]

Thanks. I suspected a Destroyer would have something a little more deadly than a cannon.

[willyone]

That is the Paul Hamilton a DDG 51 class ship. The Paul F. Foster is a Spru can and will be decommisioned after its current deployment. Have spent much time on both.

[willyone]

Sixty years of technology is impossible to beat on the ocean.

[2sheep]

>Guess we won't have as far to shoot now.

 Dream - Surprise attack - posted 15 Oct 02
 Vision - Eagle Stabbed in Back - Oct 02
 The Eagle Betrayed - 25 Sept 02 - Larry Taylor
 Dream of The Eagle of Vengeance - 7 Sep 02 [Rosh Ha Shanah]
 Interpretation of The Eagle and the Lion dream (above)
 >>> Red Alert! - 9 Aug 02 - Billy Blankenship  <<<
 Dream of Sub Attack on Coast of CA - 18 Jun 02
 Multiple Dreams of Chinese Invasion - Jun 2002
 >>> Chinese Invasion through Mexico - 28 May 02 <<<
 Dream of big dead eagle in the desert
 Zelma Kirkpatrick (1954)

Right click on 2sheep and scroll down to the right for more d/v.

[Bobibutu]

You suspected right - they are also in the BG to pick-up downed flyers - like in the drink - a war plane is a few mill - the pilot is priceless...