USS Fitzgerald Pulls into Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) pulled into Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, for a port visit on March 13, 2022.

This visit is the first time a U.S. Navy ship has made port in Sri Lanka since the USS Charleston (LCS 18) visited in June of 2021.

The 160m long destroyer is commanded by Commander D.J. Catteral and the ship is manned by 300 as its crew.

The crew of the USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62) is expected to take part in several programs organized by Sri Lanka Navy to promote camaraderie and exchange best practices between both navies. The ship is scheduled to depart the island on 16th March.

During the port visit, the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team from Fitzgerald conducted training with the Sri Lankan Navy. Each team conducted operations on a vessel to learn from one another.

Fitzgerald is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.