The Whidbey Island-Class Dock Landing Ship of the United States Navy, USS ‘Comstock’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a training visit yesterday (27).

The ship was ceremonially welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on her arrival.

The Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Bradley Coletti called on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle at the Western Naval Command Headquarters and held cordial discussions. Mementos were also exchanged to mark this occasion.

During the four day official tour, the crew members of the ship are expected to engage in a wide range of activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy. Besides, the ship’s crew will also take part in some friendly sporting events such as volleyball, cricket and basketball with their Sri Lankan counterparts at the Welisara Naval Base, in view of strengthening their camaraderie further.

USS ‘Comstock’ was the second Navy ship to be named for the Comstock Lode in Nevada, the first being the USS Comstock LSD-19 (Commissioned 1945 - Decommissioned 1976), Discovered in 1859, it was one of the richest deposits of precious metals known in the world.