USS Ingraham Visits Takamatsu

TAKAMATSU, Japan (NNS) -- USS Ingraham (FFG 61), part of Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), arrived to Takamatsu for a scheduled port visit Dec. 1, making the first visit by an American ship in over 10 years.

During the five-day visit, Sailors will be involved in friendship-building activities, meet local citizens, experience local customs and traditions, and enjoy recreational activities offered in Takamatsu.

"It is an absolute honor to visit the wonderful city of Takamatsu, and a great opportunity for the Sailors of Ingraham to reconnect with a city that has not been visited by a U.S. Navy ship in almost a decade," said Cmdr. Rick Odom, Ingraham's commanding officer. "I think the crew is going to enjoy learning about a culture that, in many ways, is very different from what they are used to."

Sailors plan to participate in various morale, welfare and recreation and community relations events, allowing the Sailors a chance to prepare for the upcoming holiday season as well as to meet with locals.

"I plan to visit the castle at Takamatsu Gardens," said Chief Information Systems Technician Brice Hern.

Ingraham is part of the Tarawa ESG, which is headed west to provide support for U.S. and coalition forces operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

The ESG will provide support to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, is prepared to take part in Horn of Africa operations, as well as to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO). Coalition forces conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.

While in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Ingraham will remain postured to render aid if needed, in support of Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet's goal of delivering responsive, short-term readiness.

U.S. 7th Fleet is permanently embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), which is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. The U.S. 7th Fleet AOR includes more than 52 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian Oceans -- stretching from the international date line to the east coast of Africa, and from the Kuril Islands in the north to the Antarctic in the south.

For more news from USS Ingraham, visit www.navy.mil/local/ffg61/.