Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang receive a commemorative plaque from Commander Steve Szachta aboard the USS Rafael Peralta on Thursday, June 20.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang meet with the officers USS Rafael Peralta before taking a tour of the ship.
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang welcomed the officers and crewmembers of the USS Rafael Peralta to Saipan on Thursday, June 20.
The guided missile destroyer has been at Charlie Dock in Lower Base since June 18 for rest and relaxation. It recently concluded its participation in the Valiant Shield training exercise in the Western Pacific.
USS Rafael Peralta carries 332 sailors, of whom 270 will be on Saipan enjoying the island’s amenities, Commander Steve Szachta said, adding that the rest of the sailors will remain on the ship to secure it.
They will depart Saipan today, Friday, June 21.
Szachta said his sailors seem to be enjoying the port call so far.
“The sailors seem to love Saipan,” he said. “They love the food, they love the weather, they love the beach and we’d love to come back.”
Palacios, who has been collaborating with military officials to bring more naval ships to the CNMI, said: “I think we’ll continue to have port calls. They’ve been having exercises [in the region] for several years now, [so] we started to push [port visits on Saipan]. We certainly welcome them. Regardless of our challenges with tourism we still welcome our soldiers and sailors.”
The governor said he and Lt. Gov. Apatang are also seeking port improvements to enhance the “navigational convenience” of naval and commercial ships visiting the island.
While the USS Rafael Peralta was in port, the governor, lt. governor, and the media were given a tour of the ship.
