The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) departed Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, April 10 after a scheduled port visit.

During San Diego's four-day port visit, the crew had the chance to engage in friendship building activities through professional exchanges strengthening the partnership between the U.S. and Mexico.

San Diego welcomed Sailors from the Mexican Navy onboard for ship tours to learn about U.S. ship capabilities, design, and missions.

Sailors from San Diego also volunteered their time to re-paint the outside of a non-profit library.

Los Mangos Library is not just a library, according to Director Adriana Garcia. "It's a community center where children and adults are able to go to read, study, use computers, take dancing lessons, play chess, learn English, watch movies, and paint, among other activities.

"I'm very grateful for Sailors from USS San Diego taking time out of their busy schedule to help support the center today," concluded Garcia."

Additionally, the crew was able to take some well-deserved rest and relaxation while visiting local attractions such as Old Town Vallarta and the beautiful beaches while experiencing a diverse range of foods.

"Puerto Vallarta was the most beautiful port I've visited in Mexico, said Command Master Chief Joshua Jackson. "On deployment, the crew did not get much liberty overseas, so this allowed them some recreation time in a foreign port in addition to the United States fostering positive relations with international partners. The crew's behavior while on liberty and underway was second to none."

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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For more news from USS San Diego (LPD 22), visit www.navy.mil/.