KARACHI: US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson and Chief, Office of the Defense Representative, Pakistan, Lt. Gen. Gregory Biscone visited USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, in the waters off the port of Karachi on March 7, US Embassy press release said on Friday.
USS William P. Lawrence is in the region to participate in Aman 13, a multinational exercise being hosted by the Pakistani Navy March 4-8.
USS William P. Lawrence is commanded by a senior female officer, Commander Jana Vavasseur. In addition, Command Master Chief Beverly Leedom is the senior enlisted leader of USS William P. Lawrence. In honor of International Women’s Day, Ambassador Olson and Lt. Gen. Biscone met separately with Cmdr. Vavasseur and Command Master Chief Leedom, and several other female officers and sailors stationed aboard USS William P. Lawrence, to highlight the advancements and contributions of women in the US military.
During their visit, Ambassador Olson and Lt. Gen. Biscone toured the ship’s spaces, including the bridge, crew’s mess, and the flight deck, where they addressed the assembled crew.
USS William P. Lawrence, commissioned in Mobile, Alabama, on June 4, 2011, is one of the US Navy’s newest and most capable ships.
The United States is one of 13 countries with ships actively participating in Aman 13, whose objective is to promote peace and stability in the region and enhance interoperability among partner naval forces. Twenty other nations are also sending observers to the exercise.
DND