The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), conducted a scheduled port visit in Karachi, Pakistan, Nov. 9-11. While in port, crew members had an opportunity to rest in a designated liberty area and participated in several community relations activities. The community relations events included a cricket game between U.S. and Pakistani forces, dinner receptions aboard the Pakistani Navy’s guided-missile frigate PNS Shamsheer (FFG 252) and Pearl Harbor. Upon completion of the port visit, U.S. and Pakistani naval forces conducted a passing exercise.
“Over the last few days, we have had the privilege of conducting a port call in Kirachi, Pakistan,” said Capt. Daniel A. Follett, commanding officer of Pearl Harbor. “We also had the unique opportunity of operating with our Pakistani partners at sea. Not only does this enhance our partnership, but provides future opportunities for interoperability.”
USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) is a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. She was named for Pearl Harbor, where World War II began for the United States. Pearl Harbor was laid down on 27 January 1995, by the Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, La.; launched on 24 February 1996; and commissioned on 30 May 1998. The mission of the Landing Ship Dock (LSD) is to transport and launch amphibious craft, vehicles, crews and embarked personnel in an amphibious assault.
Pearl Harbor is part of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group currently deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
