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Sailors Enjoy Visit to India During Malabar 04
Story Number: NNS041014-08
Release Date: 10/14/2004 2:25:00 PM
By Journalist 1st Class Todd Macdonald, Exercise Malabar 04 Public Affairs
GOA, India (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Cowpens (CG 63), USS Gary (FFG 51), and USS Alexandria (SSN 757) took some time before and after the second phase of Exercise Malabar 04, Oct. 3-9, to enjoy the unique culture of Goa, India.
Malabar, a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian navies, was designed to increase interoperability between the two navies while enhancing the cooperative security relationship between India and the United States. The at-sea training included maritime interdiction, surface events, sub-surface and air events, as well as personnel exchanges.
Wandering the streets and market places, the numerous street-side vendors and the wide variety of food choices were not lost on Sailors.
“I had things in my mind that I wanted to buy before I got here,” said Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rose Jordan, a Sailor assigned to Cowpens, and a Pittsburgh native. “So far, I have seen everything I wanted. I am not leaving here without a sari, the traditional dress for Indian women.”
Goa is a former Portuguese colony, so its cuisine and architecture are different than other parts of India.
“I love Indian food,” said Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) John Yancy, a Kerrville, Texas, native, also assigned to Cowpens. “With the Portuguese influence, it is different than the traditional Indian food,” he said.
“I was surprised when I saw the buildings here,” said Cowpens crew member and Brooklyn native, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Eric Guenther. “They remind me of the buildings in Spain.”
Many Sailors shopped in Panji, the capital city of Goa, as they walked through the sounds of honking horns and anxious street vendors.
“I really enjoyed the shopping,” said Master at Arms 1st Class Carlos Ramirez, a crew member aboard Gary and a Queens, N.Y., native. “There are so many cool things to buy, and I love to bargain for prices. Nobody is going to out-haggle me.”
Besides the shopping and eating, Sailors also had a chance to interact with their Indian navy counterparts on the sports fields, playing soccer, volleyball, basketball and golf.
“It was good sportsmanship. Everyone had fun,” said Lt. Cmdr. Brad Alaniz, operations officer aboard Cowpens. “These events were a welcome break from the exercises of the past week.”
All the Sailors experienced the gentle and kind nature of the Indian people.
“I was surprised at how friendly the people in India are,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Ross Zahara, a crew member aboard Gary and a Fulton, Mo., native. “They really went out of their way to make us feel as comfortable as possible.”
The U.S. ships left Goa Oct. 11, having gained very positive impressions of the area.
“It’s kind of cool here, I’m really digging it. It’s always good to see other countries and experience new things,” said Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Daniel LeBrun from New Orleans, a Cowpens Sailor.
Cowpens is a multi-mission platform capable of supporting anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. The 9,600-ton warship can support carrier strike groups, amphibious forces or can operate independently. Commanded by Capt. John J. Sorce, a Tennessee native, Cowpens is permanently forward deployed to the Western Pacific and operates from Yokosuka, Japan.
Gary, commanded by Cmdr. Rob Marin of Los Angeles, is a 4,100-ton warship that supports carrier and expeditionary strike groups by providing a platform for anti-submarine and anti-air warfare. The ship is permanently forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.
Alexandria, commanded by Cmdr. Thomas. J. Kearney, is a 6,900-ton Los Angeles-class attack submarine homeported in Groton, Conn. Attack submarine mission areas include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, special warfare and strike warfare.
For more information, visit the U.S. 7th Fleet Web site at www.c7f.navy.mil.
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c7f.
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