Hello, American Sailors!!!
We had the honour of visiting the USS Constellation when it docked in Sydney a couple of years. Oh, to be there again to see five ships!!!
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Five United States warships carrying around 6,500 American servicemen and women will dock in Sydney Harbour this morning en route home from the war against Iraq.
The fleet, led by a pair of 844-foot amphibious assault ships, were due to come through Sydney heads from 7am, to begin docking at Garden Island from 7.30am (AEST).
The sailors and marines have spent the past few months in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the US-led war which overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime.
The personnel will disembark the ships at about 10.30am and spend a weekend of rest and recreation in Sydney.
A US Consulate spokesman said the port visit was the fleet's first major one, providing personnel with a much-anticipated break.
"It will provide them with the opportunity to learn about Australia and experience the hospitality of their hosts," he said.
The USS Boxer, the USS Bonhomme Richard, the USS Pearl Harbour, the USS Dubuque and the USS Cleveland will leave for San Diego on Tuesday.
- AAP
http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/ur.../20/ship,0.jpg
