(VNF) - US Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus on April 9th visited sailors participating in the sixth annual Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) Vietnam 2015, central city of Da Nang.

Mabus addressed the crews of the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), as well as staff from Destroyer Squadron 7 (DESRON 7).

“As part of the Navy’s forward deployed naval force, the sailors of Fort Worth and Fitzgerald should be proud of the difference they are making during exchanges like NEA Vietnam. It’s through these face-to-face engagements that we are able to deepen our relationship with Vietnam,” said the Secretary of the Navy.

Vietnam - US navies have set up ties since 2003, when the very first US Navy Goodwill and Friendship port call in Vietnam.

The US high-ranking official also underscored the first-ever LCS visit to Vietnam, as well as the opportunity both navies will have to practice Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) later this week.

The two sides will build confidence and ensure safe communication when their ships meet again on the seas.

NEA Vietnam began in 2010 and focuses on non-combatant events and skills exchanges in military medicine, search and rescue, and maritime security. Subject-matter expert exchanges place an emphasis on maritime domain awareness, shipboard damage control, submarine rescue, band concerts, community service events and team sports.

Occurring during the 20th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the US and Vietnam, these activities were designed to foster mutual understanding, build confidence in the maritime domain and develop relationships between the people and navies of both nations./.

( VNF )