Posted:
April 22, 2014
CHUUK, Federated States of Micronesia (NNS) - One of the U.S. Navy's Maritime Prepositioning Force ships visited the Pacific island of Chuuk, FSM, Feb. 16-20.
During the visit, USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317) helped commemorate a key World War II naval battle and engaged with Chuuk officials and community leaders. Soderman crew members joined President of the FSM Emanuel Mori, U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia Doria Rosen and Japanese Ambassador to the FSM Eiichi Suzuki in a wreath-laying ceremony Feb. 17 to honor the 70th anniversary of Operation Hailstone, fought between U.S. and Japanese forces at Chuuk Lagoon Feb. 16-17, 1944. Representatives from the governor's office, chief of police and the Chuuk Senate also attended.
"Your support of this important milestone occasion for FSM is greatly appreciated," said Rear Adm. Tilghman Payne, U.S. Defense representative to Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. "It's a significant historical occasion and your engagement goes a long way in building relationships among our compact nation partners."
Following the ceremony, Soderman's civilian master Capt. Samaro Bannister hosted the U.S. and Japanese ambassadors, and other officials who attended the ceremony, at a reception and tour of the 950-foot ship.
"Soderman's presence provides the citizens of Chuuk with a visual reminder of the continuing U.S. commitment to security and defense of the region," said Lt. Cmdr. Antonio Pinkston, chief staff officer of Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three.
U.S. naval surface and air forces destroyed a vital logistics hub in Operation Hailstone, which had supplied Japanese garrisons located on islands and atolls throughout the central and south Pacific. Fifteen Japanese warships and 270 aircraft were destroyed during the battle.
During the port call, Soderman crew members also joined Rosen at Chuuk High School where they met with faculty and staff to discuss possible U.S. Navy or merchant mariner career options for their students. Next, a group of 13 local high school students boarded Soderman, at anchor just outside Chuuk Lagoon, where they toured the ship and stayed aboard for lunch.
Soderman is part of MPS Three, a fleet of 11 government-owned and commercially-contracted ships that move from port to port in many allied nations in the Pacific Rim. MPS Three comprises an afloat staff of 10 Sailors under the command of a U.S. Navy captain who maintains tactical command and control of the squadron. All MPS Three ships are crewed by merchant mariners working for private companies under contract to Military Sealift Command, who operate and navigate the ships.
Soderman got underway on the evening of Feb. 20 and returns to its forward-deployed location near Guam and Saipan.
USNS Soderman pays tribute to WWII naval battle
In this photo submitted by Captain Samaro Bannister, the USNS Soderman approaches the Pacific island of Chuuk in February.
The following article by Edward Baxter, MSC Public Affairs, was published in the April edition of Sealift, the official publication of Military Sealift Command. It is republished here in its entirety with permission. At the time of the ceremony, the USNS Soderman was operated by Ocean Ships, Inc. and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.CHUUK, Federated States of Micronesia (NNS) - One of the U.S. Navy's Maritime Prepositioning Force ships visited the Pacific island of Chuuk, FSM, Feb. 16-20.
During the visit, USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317) helped commemorate a key World War II naval battle and engaged with Chuuk officials and community leaders. Soderman crew members joined President of the FSM Emanuel Mori, U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia Doria Rosen and Japanese Ambassador to the FSM Eiichi Suzuki in a wreath-laying ceremony Feb. 17 to honor the 70th anniversary of Operation Hailstone, fought between U.S. and Japanese forces at Chuuk Lagoon Feb. 16-17, 1944. Representatives from the governor's office, chief of police and the Chuuk Senate also attended.
"Your support of this important milestone occasion for FSM is greatly appreciated," said Rear Adm. Tilghman Payne, U.S. Defense representative to Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. "It's a significant historical occasion and your engagement goes a long way in building relationships among our compact nation partners."
Following the ceremony, Soderman's civilian master Capt. Samaro Bannister hosted the U.S. and Japanese ambassadors, and other officials who attended the ceremony, at a reception and tour of the 950-foot ship.
"Soderman's presence provides the citizens of Chuuk with a visual reminder of the continuing U.S. commitment to security and defense of the region," said Lt. Cmdr. Antonio Pinkston, chief staff officer of Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three.
U.S. naval surface and air forces destroyed a vital logistics hub in Operation Hailstone, which had supplied Japanese garrisons located on islands and atolls throughout the central and south Pacific. Fifteen Japanese warships and 270 aircraft were destroyed during the battle.
During the port call, Soderman crew members also joined Rosen at Chuuk High School where they met with faculty and staff to discuss possible U.S. Navy or merchant mariner career options for their students. Next, a group of 13 local high school students boarded Soderman, at anchor just outside Chuuk Lagoon, where they toured the ship and stayed aboard for lunch.
Soderman is part of MPS Three, a fleet of 11 government-owned and commercially-contracted ships that move from port to port in many allied nations in the Pacific Rim. MPS Three comprises an afloat staff of 10 Sailors under the command of a U.S. Navy captain who maintains tactical command and control of the squadron. All MPS Three ships are crewed by merchant mariners working for private companies under contract to Military Sealift Command, who operate and navigate the ships.
Soderman got underway on the evening of Feb. 20 and returns to its forward-deployed location near Guam and Saipan.