The dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and embarked Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, for a scheduled port visit April 16.

This port visit serves to enhance U.S.-Portugal relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Europe.

Quote:

"I'm very proud of the hard work that our Marines and Sailors have been performing throughout Oak Hill's deployment. This port visit will be a great opportunity for our Sailors and Marines to partake and learn about Portuguese culture, as well as share our own culture with the citizens of Lisbon. This visit is also an opportunity for our militaries to share and exchange experiences and knowledge with one another and will improve the way that we operate as regional partners. Additionally, the Marines embarked on Oak Hill are participating in a tactical exchange with the Portuguese Fuzileiro during our visit. This type of military-to-military cooperation is beneficial to strengthening our interoperability as allies. "

-Cdr. Orlando Bowman, commanding officer, USS Oak Hill (LSD 51)

Quick Facts:

While in port, Oak Hill Sailors and Marines will volunteer at several community relation events, various sporting activities, participate in local cultural tours of the area around Lisbon and meet with officials from the local military.

The Marines embarked on Oak Hill are participating in a tactical exchange with the Portuguese Fuzileiro during our visit. This type of military-to-military cooperation is beneficial to strengthening our interoperability as allies.

Portugal facilitates bi-lateral and multi-lateral training that benefits all NATO nations and regional partners. This past fall, Trident Juncture 2015 was hosted here. USS Arlington (LPD 24), a ship in our amphibious ready group, participated in that exercise by launching U.S. and Portuguese Marines ashore at Pinheiro da Cruz.

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group entered the U.S. 6th Fleet of area of operations April 5, and is conducting naval operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

The Oak Hill is transiting home after a multi-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of operations; however, the ship has the capabilities to be where it is needed, when it is needed if a crisis were to occur during her time in theater.

The Kearsarge ARG/MEU team is comprised of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington and embarked Marines from the 26th MEU, departed the U.S. October 6, 2015.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ussoakhill

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.