6th Fleet Completes Black Sea Port Visits

August 29, 2001 - THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NWS) -- Sailors often join the Navy to see the world. However, only in the last decade has the U.S. Navy begun routine port visits in the Black Sea. Even now, after the Iron Curtain has been pushed aside, Black Sea port visits are rare opportunities for Sailors of the 6th Fleet, who recently completed a deployment to the region.

So as the flagship USS La Salle (AGF 3) and the embarked Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and staff transited the narrow Bosporus Strait, which separates Europe and Asia to emerge into the Black Sea for a five-country deployment in mid-August, few knew exactly what to expect.

"We are here to show our presence, be ambassadors of goodwill and show people that we are interested in fostering stronger ties with them," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Jaime Martinez of Santa Fe, N.M., during La Salle's first port call to the region since 1998. "People will remember Americans favorably if we leave a good impression."

That mission of diplomacy was repeated throughout the entire 17-day, five-country deployment to the Black Sea. From Istanbul to Novorossiysk, Russia, to Sevastopol, Ukraine, and on to Constanta, Romania, and Varna, Bulgaria, U.S. Sailors brought messages of peace, friendship and an opportunity to find common ground.

One global area of common ground is a shared devotion to family. One way visiting La Salle and 6th Fleet Sailors expressed that shared devotion was to volunteer liberty time to offer assistance to projects routinely centered around family and children in every country they visited.

"It's the best birthday present I can get -- spending time with children," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Najm Lewis from Willmington, Del., who spent her 19th birthday with several other Sailors playing with and distributing arts and crafts supplies to children living in an orphanage on the outskirts of Novorossiysk, Russia.

"Anything to help out the kids is worth the effort," said La Salle Information Systems Technician 1st Class Tony Morgano of Brookpark, Ohio, who was one of several volunteers taking part in every Black Sea community relations project conducted. "I think it also presents a positive image for America."

Another group of Sailors presenting a positive image for America and the U.S. Navy in the Black Sea region was the 6th Fleet Band. These musical ambassadors spoke in the international language of music and entertained thousands during their 27-concert itinerary.

"It feels great to represent the Navy and the U.S. through music," said tenor sax player Musician Seaman Chris Sams of Salem, Va., who was on his first deployment away from the 6th Fleet band's home base in Naples, Italy. "The crowds were very receptive and treated us like celebrities. All of us tried to return the gesture by giving them the best performance we could."

"They are great musicians," said Zhleyazko Nicolov, a Bulgarian naval communications officer. "We don't see Sailors from the American Navy very often -- it was nice to see them here. Maybe we can get to know each other better and become better friends."

"I like jazz very much," added Krasimir Kostov, a Sergeant in the Bulgarian Navy, of the first time he had interacted with American Sailors. "The band sounded great. The visit of the American Navy here is important -- both sides can learn from the exchange of experiences and learn from each other."

The 6th Fleet also actively initiated cooperation between the U.S. Navy and the navies of the Black Sea to promote a new era of regional stability.

"The last decade has been one of tremendous change in the Black Sea region," said Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. Gregory Johnson, during a reception held in the Bulgarian port city of Varna. "But, we must ensure that the past informs and instructs us and does not obstruct our vision of the future."

While 6th Fleet diplomacy primarily emphasized commonality, another effective tool of diplomacy has been engagement through operational exercises. During their deployment, staff talks between 6th Fleet and representative navies were conducted in each country visited.

"These meetings in each port are very important," said 6th Fleet operations officer, Capt. Jason Leaver of Clear Lake, Iowa. "Being able to meet face to face lets us better understand what kinds of exercise programs they'd like to do with the United States."

"We discussed issues dealing with our partnership for peace," said 6th Fleet policy and strategy officer, Lt. Cmdr. Mike Hill of Lincoln, Neb. "We also discussed issues dealing different aspects of junior officer training and the possibility of joint exercises down the road."

Developing and sharing mutual respect are often offshoots of joint exercises and junior officer training programs. However, for those in uniform, mutual respect is also expressed by recognizing the sacrifices made by so many before us. U.S. and Black Sea region Sailors came together in Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria for wreath-laying ceremonies at respective war memorials.

"It was a very dignified and respectful ceremony that acknowledged the sacrifices of the Ukrainian people and honored their memory and past struggles," said 6th Fleet's Lt. Cmdr. Stanley Keeve of Landover, Md., who attended the ceremony honoring those who fell to recapture Sevastopol from the Nazis.

"I enjoyed the opportunity to witness firsthand a very sacred and time-honored tradition of honoring the sacrifices of others," said Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Lawrence Nichols of Detroit, who participated in the Bulgarian ceremony. "I believe that it helps to strengthen the ties between the U.S. and these various countries by showing that Americans are compassionate and sympathetic to their losses, as well as respectful of their customs."

Between staff talks, receptions, community relations projects, wreath laying ceremonies and band performances, 6th Fleet Sailors were also able to enjoy liberty in a region scarcely accessible. From Istanbul's sixth century Hagia Sofia church and Blue Mosque to memorials of times of struggle, Sailors had ample opportunity to taste the culture of the region. The 6th Fleet and La Salle Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) coordinated tours in every country.

"It's important that Romanians and Americans learn about each other's history and culture so we can understand each other better," said Mihaela Dumitrescu the Constantan tour guide on the trip to the Romanian capital Bucharest. "The best way to learn about people is to meet them face-to-face...not from a textbook."

"Our rich history belongs to everyone," said tour guide Beken Guray, a retired Turkish military officer who now makes a living showing Istanbul's art, culture and history to foreign tourists. "I want to tell the story of my country to the whole world. The best way to learn about the Turkish people is to come and see them firsthand."

"The history here is unbelievable," said Martinez, who enjoyed his first port visit to Turkey and a tour that included the Byzantine-era Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar. "I took this tour because I might never get another opportunity to see this place."

"I feel like I now understand more about the region's history, culture and society," said 6th Fleet's Legalman 1st Class (SW) Steve Crowston of Dallas, one of approximately 40 Sailors who signed up for the day-long tour to Bucharest. "The people seem friendly, helpful and receptive to Americans."

For more information on the 6th Fleet, go to http://www.c6f.navy.mil.