The guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) arrived in Port Sudan, Sudan for a scheduled port visit, Mar. 1, 2021. (credit: usembassysudan)

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The USS Winston Churchill arrived at Port Sudan last week as part of the first American Navy ships to visit the Horn of Africa nation in 25 years. The visit of the Winston Churchill comes  on the heels of the arrival of the USNS Carson City, which visited Port Sudan from Feb 24-26.   The Carson City is the first American Navy ship visit to Sudan since the creation of U.S. Africa Command, and highlights U.S. engagement that strives to build a partnership with the Sudanese Armed Forces, the U.S. Navy said.  According to U.S. African Command,  the visit of the guided-missile destroyer USS Churchill  will provide an opportunity for the Sudanese and U.S. military leaders to engage in staff talks to further explore opportunities to work together and establish a basis for a relationship committed to security and stability in the region.

“Together with Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government, we are striving to build a partnership between our two armed forces. In just the past few months, we have already seen an increase in military-to-military engagements.”  

-said Rear Adm. Michael Baze, director of maritime headquarters, Navy Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81)   (credit: US Navy)

The  USS Winston S. Churchill  arrived in Port Sudan, Sudan for a scheduled port visit, Mar. 1, 2021. (credit: usembassysudan)

Sudanese officials also toured the Winston Churchill followed by a reception given by both the Sudanese and U.S. military.  Winston S. Churchill departed Norfolk, Virginia, Aug. 10 for a regularly-scheduled deployment to maintain maritime security and ensure the freedom of navigation in critical waterways. Feb. 21 marked Churchill passing 50,000 nautical miles traveled on their deployment.

Sailors man the rails as the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill arrived in Port Sudan March 1, 2021 (credit:  MC3 Louis Thompson) 

Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, which is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, and conducts joint and naval operations in support of coalition and regional partners, and U.S. national security interests in the Middle East.

First U.S. Navy Ship Docks in Port of SUDAN For First Time To Enhance Security in Red Sea

The expeditionary fast transport ship USNA Carson City arrived in Port Sudan, Sudan, on Wednesday Feb. 25, 2021, in a show of partnership between the United States and Sudan. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy 6th Fleet)

Like all EPFs, Carson City conducts overseas operations, and supports logistics and humanitarian aid. The ship is crewed by nearly 35 U.S. Navy Sailors and civil service mariners.

“This ship’s presence visit to Port Sudan is a demonstration of our commitment to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Sudan as the Sudanese people seek a democratic future. This visit in turn helps to promote peace, security, and preserve freedom of the seas.”

-U.S. Embassy Khartoum Chargé d’Affaires, Brian Shukan

Prior to the port visit to Sudan, Carson City operated in the Red Sea. Carson City’s presence in the Red Sea helps promote peace, security, and freedom of the seas and is a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to maritime security and stability in the region, according to AFRICOM.