US warship 'Trenton' to join Indian fleet

< 4 Jan, 2007 0204hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK >

WASHINGTON: Nearly two centuries after Bombay’s famed Wadia family built HMS Minden — the ship on which the American national anthem Star Spangled Banner was written — history will sail a full circle later this month.

The US Navy is all set to hand over Seattle-built USS Trenton, an amphibious transport warship, to the Indian Navy. It will be the first American-made vessel to join India’s growing blue water fleet.

A crew of more than 300 Indian Navy personnel is already training in Norfolk, Virginia, to take charge of Trenton in a formal ceremony on January 17, when the ship will be officially decommissioned from the US Navy. It will then set sail for India, where it is likely to be inducted into the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/US_warship_Trenton_to_join_Indian_fleet/articleshow/1042386.cms

Nothing we will be missing though.

He served for years on the Trenton back in during the first gulf war. I remember seeing it on TV during the evacuation of Americans from Lebanon. Brought tears to my eyes.

Seems like every little thing is reminding me of him today. We got word last night that he deploys to the middle east on Jan 7th ( retired Navy Commander)

What..?? Are we farming out our Navy now to India???

to counter Chinese influence in the Indian ocean. They bought the Trenton to gain experience in operating large amphibious ships so they can determine exactly what they need in the future.