For the first time, the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) arrived in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a regularly scheduled port visit, April 6. While in port, the crew of San Diego will have a chance to engage in friendship building activities, through professional exchanges with Sailors from the Mexican Navy. The crew will also volunteer their time and participate in a community relations project to help re-paint a local library. "You always want to build professional engagements with other militaries," said Commanding Officer, Capt. Pete Collins. "And with Mexico being our next door neighbor, working together will continue to build our relationship while fostering a professional atmosphere between our two Navies." The crew will also have the opportunity to visit many local attractions such as Old Town Vallarta, colorful markets, and beautiful beaches as well as experience a diverse range of foods and cultures while taking some well-deserved rest and relaxation. . "This visit provides the crew a great opportunity to see and experience new things while enjoying the nature of being in the U.S. Navy in a foreign port," continued Collins. San Diego recently returned home after completing a successful seven-month deployment conducting operations and exercises in the Indo-Pacific, Mediterranean, Horn of Africa, and Middle East. San Diego's mission is to transport and deploy combat and support elements from Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ship is designed to support more than 800 Marines and have the capability to transport and debark air cushion, conventional landing craft and amphibious vehicles along with aviation capabilities. Part of U.S. 3rd Fleet, San Diego is the sixth ship in the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships, and is the fourth ship named after the Southern California city. She is currently the only U.S. Navy ship in the fleet homeported in her namesake city. U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. Third Fleet coordinates with numbered fleets to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the entire Pacific theater of operations.

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