Mabus visits USS Ingraham in Panama

By CTT3 Andrew B. Cox • January 28, 2012 10:29 am
Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Ray Mabus visited the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) during a port visit in Vasco Núñez de Balboa (VNB), Panama and spoke with the crew. The visit occurred during Secretary Mabus’ recent trip to Central and South America. U.S. Navy Photo

VASCO NUNEZ DE BALBOA, Panama — While pier side in Vasco Núñez de Balboa (VNB), Panama, the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) welcomed aboard the 75th Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), Honorable Ray Mabus, Jan. 15.

The visit occurred during Secretary Mabus’ recent trip to Central and South America. He was getting a firsthand look at the forces in support of Combating Transnational Organized Crime (C-TOC) operations and meeting key leadership of partner nations vital to U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) strategic objectives.

Meeting with the Commanding Officer of USS Ingraham, Cmdr. Kristin L. Stengel, he discussed the Navy’s impact on C-TOC operations and the ability to combat a dynamic and persistent threat. Topics included the ever-changing tactics of traffickers as well as the potential impact of the new Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). LCS is the planned replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class of frigates, scheduled for decommissioning by 2020.

During the course of the visit, Secretary Mabus toured one of the secure compartments on board where the U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 104 keeps under lock and key 400kg of seized cocaine. He then proceeded to the flight deck for an all hands call, where he pinned a newly qualified Surface Warfare Officer and four Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists. He presented five additional awards and administered the “Oath of Enlistment” to one reenlisting Sailor.

To conclude his visit, Secretary Mabus took the time to speak to the crew about the future of the Navy and praise the crew for the sacrifices they have endured to provide this critical service to the nation.

“You are a part of the less than one percent of the country that has volunteered to protect the other ninety-nine percent,” said Mabus.

Prior to departure, he shook hands and posed for pictures with Ingraham Sailors before departing and continuing on to a scheduled dinner at the U.S. Embassy in Panama.

With a final note, he reflected on the ability of the Navy to provide the world the right support, for any given mission, at any given time.

“This is the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen,” said Mabus.

Homeported out of Everett, Wash., Ingraham’s main mission during its five-month deployment is to Combat Transnational Organized Crime (C-TOC) by intercepting and seizing narcotics that are en route to American soil.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

For more information, please contact COMUSNAVSO/C4F Public Affairs by email at comusnavso-c4f_mypt_pao@navy.mil, visit www.public.navy.mil/comusnavso-c4f, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT, or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT.