A port call on March 21 by the USNS Fall River marks the first time a US navy ship has visited Myanmar since World War II.
Marines, sailors, soldiers and civilian crewmembers arrived from Sri Lanka. The ship will be in Myanmar nearly a week before heading to Malaysia, where it will resume the annual Pacific Partnership humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief planning mission. The Fall River’s crew will tour Yangon and engage with the Myanmar navy. The 7th Fleet band will also perform at the U.S. Embassy.
The ship is carrying roughly 200 troops and civilians, including personnel from the U.S., Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom for the mission.
“We are honoured to sail the USNS Fall River and the international Pacific Partnership mission of friendship and disaster preparedness into Yangon as guests of the people of Myanmar,” said Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander of Task Force 73, in a statement. “We thank the Myanmar government, people and (Tatmadaw) navy for hosting this historic visit and we look forward to building a lasting friendship with the people of Myanmar.”
