Three warships visit Saipan over the weekend

The CNMI played host to some 900 U.S. Navy personnel aboard three visiting warships during the past weekend, with some staying for a three-day rest and recreation and others staying for five days.

The USS Vandergrift, USS Fitzgerald and USS Chancellorsville docked on Saipan beginning Friday. All three are based in Yokosuka, Japan.

During a dinner hosted by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, at least 20 crewmen from each ship attended the brief luau at the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach poolside. Associate Judge David Wiseman presented plaques of recognition to each of the ships’ commanding officers and captains.

USS Vandergrift commanding officer David A. Chase said it was his first time to be on Saipan, similar to most of his 240 men. The ship docked on the island Friday and left Saipan yesterday morning.

“People on Saipan are fantastic. They’re very hospitable,” said Chase, adding that the Saipan community had been very friendly to him and his crew.

USS Vandergrift is named after Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift and the ship’s recognitions include the Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, and five Sea Service Ribbons.

Capt. King Dietrich leads the USS Chancellorsville, the 16th guided missile cruiser of the Ticonderoga class and the 12th ship of that class built by Ingalls. Dietrich said it was also his first time on the island.

“I’m loving it here,” he said, adding that Saipan was their number one choice among other destinations. He said Saipan is the best island to relax and have fun.

Dietrich said his vessel boards 350 crewmembers, who also are first timers on the island. They docked at the seaport Friday morning and left yesterday.

Dietrich said the USS Chancellorsville was deployed with the USS Kitty Hawk from Yokosuka on Sept. 30, 2001, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The third ship, USS Fitzgerald, will leave the island this morning. This fast warship helps safeguard larger ships in a fleet or battle group such as the USS Kitty Hawk. Commanding officer Bradley J. Smith said this was also his first time on the island.

Smith said it was a lovely vacation for him and his 330 men. He said Saipan reminded him of Hawaii where he had stayed for a time.

USS Fitzgerald operates in support of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups and replenishment groups. Destroyers primarily perform anti-submarine warfare duty while guided missile destroyers are multi-mission surface combatants.

The Sunday dinner at the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach was co-sponsored by Triple J Motors, represented by Becky Castro. Triple J sponsored the food. HANMI president Lynn Knight, Coca Cola sales and marketing director Kathryn Barry, Marianas Visitors Authority’s Frank Tudela, among others, attended the event.