USS Vicksburg Visits Historic Charleston

The visit was a routine Atlantic Fleet assignment to support The Citadel as a training ship for the Corps of Cadets NROTC Unit. Vicksburg entered Charleston on Feb. 29 and stayed through the weekend. Despite being a weekend, the crew of Vicksburg was very busy conducting tactical training scenarios with midshipmen from The Citadel and hosting tours for students from Naval Nuclear Power Training Center (NNPTC).

In addition to supporting training events and familiarization tours, Vicksburg also conducted some civic engagements during the port visit, playing an important role in raising the local awareness of critical defense issues and the Navy's mission.

As part of this community outreach, Vicksburg hosted the NJROTC Class from Summerville High School. The motivated high school students asked numerous questions and were very interested in the complicated combat systems suite of a modern front-line warship.

Lt.j.g. Robbie Phaneuf, one of Vicksburg's junior officers noted, "The exposure that these students get here today can later help them to make the connection between the United States Navy and its role in American foreign policy."

On March 1, Vicksburg hosted a Captain's Luncheon and invited several of the areas distinguished visitors. Representatives from the Mayor's office, the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, and Senator Lindsay Graham's office joined senior military officers (both active duty and retired) and members of the Navy League for the auspicious occasion. Vicksburg's Commanding Officer, Capt. John "Chuck" Nygaard, welcomed the visitors onboard for lunch and followed the meal with a brief of Vicksburg's highly successful Arabian Gulf Deployment and a ship's tour.

Ensign Dan Rader, Vicksburg's Combat Information Center Officer commented, "These visits are the way that the Navy can show its equipment and professional personnel to the taxpaying American who takes pride in his country's arsenal."

While visiting Charleston, the crew also enjoyed liberty in the historic southern city. Vicksburg Sailors strolled along the beautiful tree lined streets of antebellum neighborhoods and explored the rich past of this South Carolina low country jewel. Charleston has a colorful maritime history as well. The forts Sumter and Moultrie figure prominently in American History, and it was in Charleston that the first successful submarine attack was executed. Vicksburg Sailors thoroughly enjoyed their time ashore.