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News | Sept. 16, 2019

Historic Visit of the United States Navy’s USS Ramage

U.S. 5th Fleet

USS Ramage (DDG-61), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, visited Beirut, Lebanon Sept. 14. The USS Ramage is named for Vice Admiral Lawson P. Ramage, a notable submarine commander and Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.

190915-N-N0146-001 BEIRUT, Lebanon (Sept. 15, 2019) Cmdr. John B. Benfield, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), greets U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard, during a reception. Ramage made an historic port visit to Beirut on Sept. 14, the first time in 36 years a U.S. warship had pulled into the country. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
BEIRUT, Lebanon (Sept. 15, 2019) Cmdr. John B. Benfield, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), greets U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard, during a reception. Ramage made an historic port visit to Beirut on Sept. 14, the first time in 36 years a U.S. warship had pulled into the country. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
190915-N-N0146-001 BEIRUT, Lebanon (Sept. 15, 2019) Cmdr. John B. Benfield, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), greets U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard, during a reception. Ramage made an historic port visit to Beirut on Sept. 14, the first time in 36 years a U.S. warship had pulled into the country. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
Historic Visit of the United States Navy’s USS Ramage
BEIRUT, Lebanon (Sept. 15, 2019) Cmdr. John B. Benfield, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), greets U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard, during a reception. Ramage made an historic port visit to Beirut on Sept. 14, the first time in 36 years a U.S. warship had pulled into the country. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
Photo By: Chief Petty Officer Jay Chu
VIRIN: 190915-N-N0146-001B
     

During the visit to Beirut, U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard and Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet, hosted an on-board reception for distinguished guests.  The Ambassador and the Vice Admiral highlighted the ongoing commitment of the United States to be a strong and enduring partner for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the legitimate institutions in Lebanon, with a focus on the importance of security and stability in the eastern Mediterranean.  

Specifically, Ambassador Richard explained that, “the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean is important to the U.S. and to the world.”

“We are committed to our partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces and our shared goal of maritime security in the region,” said Vice Admiral Malloy.

Ramage is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.