Deployed Task Group - Seattle
By LT Ben Martin and LT Vaughan Luckman
Seattle, 19-24 June
In Seattle, TE KAHA and ENDEAVOUR provided a platform for our NZ Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to progress our nation’s relationship with the USA. The task group’s aim was to generate a good profile for New Zealand, by working closely with His Excellency Mr Roy Ferguson, the New Zealand Ambassador, his embassy staff and the New Zealand Defence Attaché to Washington. The Defence Attaché, CDRE D V Anson RNZN, with our Assistant Naval Attaché (CDR Andrew Brown RNZN) the Consul General’s executive officer (Kirsten Stevens) and Clare Eeles (NZTE Director Americas West) were also heavily involved in the visit.
ENDEAVOUR berthed first, one day earlier than planned (the first RNZN ship to berth in a mainland US port in over 25 years) to facilitate main engine maintenance. ENDEAVOUR was met by an US Coast Guard berthing party. TE KAHA joined, as programmed, in the evening of Saturday 19 June at Pier 66 in central Seattle.
After TE KAHA sailed from North Vancouver, she called at Everett, Washington state, to embark our Ambassador and a group of American VIPs for the short passage to Seattle. The VIPs, including the State’s Lieutenant Governor, Brad Owen, were greeted with a powhiri and given a briefing and tour, before an aviation demonstration—our Ambassador and Governor Owen enjoyed a short flight. Once alongside Seattle, CDRE Anson embarked and our two COs hosted the VIPs to buffet dinner in TE KAHA.
Sunday 20 June was a leave day for our ships’ companies; 40 went on an organised white water rafting expedition. Others visited the Pike Street markets, the Space Needle and the Science Fiction and Rock Music Museum, Kurt Cobain’s childhood house, Jimi Hendrix’s grave and the city’s parks. Several attended concerts by Iron Maiden and The Offspring. Many queued to purchase coffee and merchandise at the original Starbucks; others searched fruitlessly for the set of Grey’s Anatomy.
Monday 21 June meant TE KAHA had to shift berth (from outboard of ENDEAVOUR to the berth ahead, once a cruise liner had departed) and we prepared for the evening reception. Our COs made official calls, accompanied by the Ambassador and Mr John Mataira, the NZ Consul General from LA, on the CEO of Seattle Port Company, the Mayor of Seattle and the Commander 13th Coast Guard District, Rear Admiral Gary Blore.
The official reception, co-hosted with our Ambassador, involved 142 guests including some from industry and senior military guests, notably RA Blore. At the request of CDRE Anson, several ship tours were conducted before the Ambassador gave a speech, remarking on the unique opportunity to refresh contacts between NZ and the US North West.
RADM Gary Blore was able to confirm the USCG Dolphin helo interoperability ops, planned for 25 June, that was initiated in Esquimalt. RADM Blore had originally declined to attend the reception, since that day was his wife’s birthday, but he had been convinced to come at the “Navy Rocks” concert in Esquimalt, by the task group’s Executive Officers. So at our reception Mrs Blore was presented with a birthday present—a pounamu manaia.
Some officers liaised with the sales director of the Boeing Company who subsequently arranged a tour of the aircraft factory for a group of 50 from our ships - it was a real highlight of their visit.
The highlight of the night was the performance by the task group’s combined cultural group Ngaru Kaha (strong wave). Their performance was especially emotional as we had learned that day that family members of two of the group had passed away in New Zealand. A prayer (karakia) opened their performance which was highly charged and, as the Ambassador said, left “not a dry eye amongst the guests.”
Next day the Heads of Departments hosted industry luncheons for Health and Marine industry guests in both ships, to support our trade representatives. The unique venue of the two warships was significant for gaining positive responses from those invited.
On Wednesday 23 June TE KAHA was open to visitors and over 600 came aboard. It was a working day, so the numbers was small but again they commented on our frigate’s general upkeep (many thought the ship was less than five years old) and all appreciated the knowledge and friendliness of our tour guides.
The next morning both ships sailed; ENDEAVOUR at 0800 to have time for a post-maintenance main engine workup; TE KAHA following at 1000. Both ships then focussed on the interoperability exercises [see article Exercising Inter-operability with the US Coast Guard].
During the visit we were all able to meet local citizens; the same friendliness found in Vancouver was also found south of the border. Most locals were unaware of the political background to our visit and were just happy to meet a bunch of Kiwis. LT Fraser Toulmin went to the Mariners vs Reds baseball game (the Mariners won) and ENS Rosemary Beumelburg said “the visit has been a fantastic experience.”
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