Written on November 4, 2009 at 11:47 am by

USS San Juan Makes A Historic Visit to South Africa

Filed under DoD News {no comments}
The USS San Juan (Photo courtesy of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa)

The USS San Juan (Photo courtesy of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa.)

USS San Juan, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, arrived in Simon’s Town, South Africa today setting the stage for a series of the first, at-sea engagements with the South African Navy submarine force.

During the visit, San Juan will be working with and learning from the South African Navy in various maritime pursuits including regional security cooperation activities, military-to-military exchanges and community relations activities.

“This historic visit is a sign of our continued friendship with South Africa and another important step in our efforts to work together in addressing maritime issues,” said Cmdr. Oliver Lewis, commanding officer of San Juan. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with a peer navy and submarine force, and believe both our Navy and [South Africa’s] will benefit from this exchange.”

San Juan, a fast-attack submarine home-ported in Groton, Conn., is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

(Courtesy of Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Holmes, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs)

Check out these other posts:

Recent Comments

DoDLive on Tumblr

  • photo from Tumblr

    After watching his father narrowly escape a lynching in early 20th century Georgia, Eugene Bullard would escape the confines of racial tensions and a segregated country to become the first African-American combat pilot and one of the first African-American heroes of World War I.

    Bullard, who grew up in Columbus, Ga., as one of 10 children of a former slave, left his hometown as a teenager, stowing away on a ship bound for Scotland and moved to London to fulfill his dreams.

    Before the war began, Bullard moved to Paris where he made a reputation for himself as a professional boxer.

    Read more of Bullard’s incredible story here.


  • photo from Tumblr

    U.S. Air Force Senior Airman John Caruthers, a member of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa rugby team, is tackled by members of French Forces Djibouti during a friendly match in Djibouti, Djibouti, January 12. The CJTF-HOA squad was a combination of U.S. and British service members and was playing in their first-ever match as a team.

    (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Jonathan Steffen)


  • photo from Tumblr

    A Marine Corps Harrier AV-8B II conducts nighttime launch and recovery operations aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6).

    (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane/Released)