500 US marines, naval officers arrive in NCD

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FIVE hundred United States marines and naval officers have arrived in Port Moresby aboard USS Green Bay to help provide security during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit.
The Marines are from the 469 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron based in Okinawa, Japan. USS Green Bay is from the seventh US navy Fleet based in Sasebo, also in Japan.
Rear Admiral Brad Cooper, US Navy Commander Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet based in Okinawa, said they were in PNG to follow the footsteps of the US Undersecretary for Navy, Thomas Modly.
“This is the second US Navy ship to visit Port Moresby within two months. We are here to show that we are keen for a free and open Indo-Pacific region and to support PNG host the Apec , Cooper said.
“Our presence and this ship is an open symbol of our assistance to PNG.”
Meanwhile, US Navy commanding officer and USS Green Bay Captain Tom Shultz said “the crew feels fortunate to have the opportunity to support Apec in PNG and had sailed for 10 days from home port at Sasebo.”
The US Navy has invested deeply in supporting the amphibious mission as can be seen in the innovative design and of this amphibious transport dock ship. This ship is equipped to support a variety of missions from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to full amphibious combat operations”.
USS Green Bay also has military helicopters on board for the US marines to use to deploy in the city during Apec security operations.