USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY visits South Africa Article by S Lt L.A. Benjamin Photos by S Lt L.A. Benjamin, LS M. Venter & AB B.D. Ntsangani

On Friday, 29 January 2009 the USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY arrived at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. This frigate, an Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate of the United States Navy, was deployed in November 2008 to circumnavigate the African continent and South Africa was one of her ports of call.

Commodore Nick Holman welcomes Flag Officer Fleet, R Adm R.W. Higgs onboard for a media briefing.

A few members from the Ship’s company left the ship on Friday, 30 January and headed to the Teen Challenge Western Cape Women’s Centre “House of Hope” to embark on a social responsibility programme. US sailors reached out to this centre by not only donating paint but their time and labour as well. They managed to repaint the entire exterior of the centre. The USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY also donated a supply of toiletries to the persons living at the centre.

Commodore Nick Holman giving a tour of the bridge of the ship. Look at the size of the ship's wheel!	The picture of the ship was presented to the Teen Challenge Western Cape Women’s Centre.

On Friday afternoon the USS Robert G Bradley hosted a Media Conference in the V&A Waterfront. Flag Officer Fleet, R Adm R.W. Higgs represented the SA Navy at this conference, whereas the senior US Navy representatives were Commodore Nick Holman and of course the captain of the ship, Commander Clint Carroll. Commander Carroll explained that the ship is on a peaceful mission around the African coast to assist African countries to improve their maritime security and awareness.

First they had to chip the old paint off...	The walls were repainted with a fresh coat of paint.

On Saturday 31 January, the American crew challenged SAS SPIOENKOP to a soccer match. The first half saw SAS SPIOENKOP leading with 4 goals to nil. In the true spirit of togetherness the two captains conferred at half time and decided that they would each swop 5 players over to the other team. The second half therefore saw South African sailors playing for the US Navy and American sailors playing for the SA Navy. After the 40 minutes of play during the second half and many goals later, SAS SPIOENKOP were declared the winners of the day as they scored 10 goals and USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY only managed to score 4 goals.

A player from SAS SPIOENKOP makes ready to kick the ball before a player from
USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY tries to tackle him.

The ship was named after Lt Robert G. Bradley (1921-1944), who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism onboard USS PRINCETON during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Second World War .

Group photo.

On Monday, 02 February 2009 the USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY sailed from the V&A Waterfront and conducted a short exercise with SAS MENDI. Her next port of call is Maputo.