Last modified Wed., November 15, 2006 - 03:55 PM
Originally created Thursday, November 16, 2006

HSL-46 Detachment Visits Montenegro

By Lt.j.g. Matt Sedgwick, HSL-46 Detachment Nine

Sailors from the guided missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) scrape rust off the landscape at Mladost children's home in Bijela. More than 30 Sailors from Anzio spent their morning helping the children's home improve the surrounding decor and meeting with the children.
MC3 Matthew D. Leistikow

HSL-46 Detachment Nine, ''Reloaded,'' participated in a first for the U.S. Navy on Oct. 23 when it sailed with guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) into port in Tivat, Montenegro. This marked the first time a U.S. navy ship has visited Montenegro since the country declared independence in June 2006.

USS Anzio is on deployment supporting the Global War on Terror as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. The 27 members of Detachment Nine embarked USS Anzio on Oct 1, 2006, prior to the ship departing its homeport of Norfolk, Va.

Montenegro, a region of the former Yugoslavia, was granted independence from Serbia in June 2006. The crew of the USS Anzio and members of HSL-46 Detachment Nine did not know what to expect as the ship pulled into Tivat Harbor on Oct. 23. All were pleasantly surprised as Tivat proved to be a delightful host city.

The Montenegrin people were excited to host a U.S. Navy ship and optimism over the country's new statehood was obvious in its people.

During the visit, members of HSL-46 Detachment Nine participated in two community relations projects. The first project was a large-scale trash clean-up effort aimed at the beautification of the host city of Tivat.

Sailors assigned to guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) man the rails as Anzio pulls into the port of Tivat, Montenegro. Anzio's visit is one step the Navy is taking to strengthen the emerging partnership with Montenegro and the Montenegrin navy. Anzio is the first ship to visit Tivat since 1975.
MC3 Matthew D. Leistikow

Small groups, comprised of detachment members and ship's company, were guided through Tivat by young Montenegrin students. This was the first interaction between the two groups and it proved very successful.

The second project involved a trip to an orphanage in the nearby town of Herceg Novi, Montenegro. USS Anzio and HSL-46 Sailors completed renovations to the grounds of the orphanage that is home to 150 Montenegrin children. Following the work, the volunteers enjoyed the opportunity meet some of the children and have lunch with members of the staff.

In addition to enjoying Tivat, HSL-46 Detachment Nine members traveled to the surrounding cities of Budva and Kotor, Montenegro. All three cities are beautiful, up-and-coming tourist destinations.

On Oct. 26, Detachment Nine flew Cutlass 473 in an aerial photography exercise to document the ceremonial departure of USS Anzio from Tivat Harbor. Anzio was escorted by two Montenegrin Navy ships. One was their midshipman training ship the Tall Ship Forjan. Images captured by the embarked mass communication specialists were prepared and presented as gifts to the Montenegro Navy.