The guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) arrived in Suva yesterday for a routine port visit.

Commissioned on June 4, 2011, William P. Lawrence is named after Vice-Admiral William P. Lawrence, a highly decorated naval aviator, former Vietnam prisoner of war, and former commander of U.S 3rd Fleet.

The ship and crew of more than 300, that departed San Diego on January 15, will collaborate with the U.S Embassy Suva to conduct goodwill activities in Fiji with partner organisations as well as Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) activities in the Western Pacific Ocean.

OMSI is a Secretary of Defence programme, which takes advantage of Department of Defence assets transiting the region to support maritime law enforcement operations in Oceania.

A law enforcement detachment from U.S Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South is also on board to conduct maritime law enforcement operations in support of U.S and Pacific island nations’ fisheries laws and to suppress illicit activities.

The destroyer is commanded by Commander Walter C. Mainor and is assigned to the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group.