MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay -- Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO, USS OAK HILL, and the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay hosted a Community Day 4th of July celebration onboard USS OAK HILL (LSD 51) moored in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The blue sky and warm temperatures, rare for this time of year in Uruguay, allowed for the event to be hosted on OAK HILL’s flight deck. More than 200 personnel from the embassy staff and friends of the embassy joined the 300 personnel from OAK HILL, and foreign embarked personnel from Argentina, Brazil, and Peru in enjoying the event. OAK HILL’s exceptional group of culinary specialists made everyone feel like they were at a picnic in the United States, with hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta salads and all the trimmings associated with 4th of July celebrations.
“This event allows us to take a moment to gather our personnel, the staff of the Embassy here in Uruguay, and the friends of the embassy to enjoy a day of celebration and fellowship onboard this great ship,” stated Commodore Brad Williamson, the Mission Commander for Southern Partnership Station 2009.
The USS Oak Hill is participating in a combined multinational exercise Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2009. SPS 09 is a combined naval and amphibious exercise with OAK HILL and maritime forces from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay.
Additionally, the USS Oak Hill will also support the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais (CFN) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South for Southern Exchange 2009 at the Divisão Anfíbia and the island of Marambaia in Rio de Janeiro, where approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors from the U.S., Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Uruguay will participate, July 13-31.
“It was so nice to meet people from the Unites States who are here visiting Uruguay, and of course our friends here in Uruguay, and together share a moment to celebrate our independence. The fact that we are here to build partnerships with our South American friends and that we have personnel onboard from so many other nations, made today’s events even more special.” Commodore Williamson stated.
The USS Oak Hill will continue her mission after enjoying some more time training with Navy and Marine personnel in Uruguay. “Today was a great event,” said Lieutenant Commander Al Corkran, Acting Chief Staff Officer for Destroyer Squadron TWO. “But it is only the first of three celebrations. We all are looking forward to sharing Uruguay’s Constitution Day on 18 July and Peru’s Independence Day on 28 July, with our embarked liaison personnel from these nations later this month.”